Global Cryptocurrency Market January 12, 2026 - Bitcoin around $92,000, Ethereum and Top-10 Cryptocurrencies, Institutional Investments

Current Cryptocurrency News for Monday, January 12, 2026: Bitcoin Holds Around $92,000, Ethereum and Major Altcoins Rise Amid U.S. Inflation Data Expectations, Institutional Interest Remains Strong, Top 10 Popular Cryptocurrencies

Market Overview

• The total market capitalization of the cryptocurrency market is estimated at around $3.2 trillion, remaining close to weekend levels. Over the past 24 hours, the overall market volume has changed slightly, reflecting a consolidation phase following recent fluctuations.
• Bitcoin (BTC) is trading around $92,000, just above the psychologically important level of $90,000. The market capitalization of BTC is approximately $1.8 trillion, maintaining dominance at about 58% of the total cryptocurrency market capitalization.
• Ethereum (ETH) is hovering around $3,200-$3,300, showing moderate growth alongside Bitcoin. The market cap of ETH exceeds $380 billion (about 12% of the market), reaffirming its status as the second most significant cryptocurrency.
• Most major altcoins are demonstrating slight price increases within the range of 1-3%. Coins such as Solana, XRP, Cardano, and others from the top 10 are trading close to the levels of the previous day, signaling ongoing market stabilization following the volatile first week of the year.

Bitcoin: Consolidation and Growth Boundaries

Bitcoin continues to consolidate around the ~$90-$92k mark as the new week begins. Following a volatile start to the year, the leading cryptocurrency is attempting to establish a foothold above $90,000: on January 5, BTC briefly rose to ~$94.8k (a local maximum in recent months), followed by a correction that saw the price dip below $90k on January 8. Currently, Bitcoin has recovered much of the downturn and has returned to ~$92,000, which is approximately 3-4% higher than the levels at the beginning of the year. The current quotes are about 25% below the historical maximum (~$124,000 reached in August 2025), however, investors note Bitcoin's resilience at these heights.

Analysts point out that the $90-$95k range for Bitcoin has become a new psychological resistance zone: sellers are actively taking profits during attempts to rise above these levels, while buyers support the price during pullbacks. Macroeconomic uncertainty (including upcoming inflation data) is limiting sharp movements, but fundamental factors remain positive. Bitcoin is still viewed by many as "digital gold" and a safe-haven asset. Recent geopolitical events have heightened interest in BTC as a safe haven: amid international tensions, investors have sought refuge in Bitcoin, and rumors of substantial BTC reserves held by certain countries (and the possibility of them being withdrawn from circulation) have added bullish expectations to the market.

Ethereum Maintains Its Second Place

Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, is moving in line with the overall market dynamics. As of January 12, Ethereum is trading around $3,250 per coin, having strengthened slightly over the past few days. In the first half of January, ETH reached ~$3,300, marking a high since last fall. On a weekly basis, Ethereum has added approximately 5-6%, confidently retaining its status as the largest altcoin. Although the current price is significantly below its historical record (~$4.9k in November 2021), Ethereum demonstrates stability and attracts investors with its technological potential.

Ethereum’s market capitalization currently stands at around $380 billion (approximately 12% of the total market cap), solidifying its second position in the industry. Interest in the smart contract platform remains high: the launch of the first spot ETFs for Ethereum in 2025 has provided institutional investors with convenient access to ETH, ensuring a record influx of capital into related funds. Major players view Ethereum as the foundational infrastructure for decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and other Web3 applications. Ongoing technical developments on the network (protocol updates, layer two scaling solutions) combined with institutional backing give reason to expect that Ethereum will maintain strong positions and potential price growth in the medium term.

Altcoins: Mixed Dynamics

The altcoin market is showing a mixed dynamic at the beginning of the week. The total market capitalization of all alternative cryptocurrencies (excluding Bitcoin) remains around ~$1.35 trillion, lower than the peaks of last summer (~$1.7 trillion), but reflecting ongoing investor interest in digital assets beyond Bitcoin. Many leading altcoins, following a tumultuous rise in the first half of 2025, underwent corrections in the autumn and are now attempting to find new equilibrium.

Among the largest altcoins, Ripple (XRP) stands out. The token of the Ripple payment network remains above $2.00, strengthening its position due to legal clarity regarding its status (Ripple's victory over the SEC in court in 2025) and the launch of the first ETFs for XRP. The market capitalization of XRP is estimated at around $110 billion, which has once again placed it in the top three market leaders. Institutional investor interest in XRP has noticeably increased following opportunities to invest in this asset via ETFs, reinforcing a long-term positive outlook for it.

Another notable player is Binance Coin (BNB), the native token of the largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance. Despite the regulatory challenges surrounding Binance last year, BNB is trading around $500 (market cap of about $80 billion) and remains in the top five cryptocurrencies. The current price is below its historical maximum (~$750), yet the coin demonstrates resilience due to its broad areas of application: BNB is actively used for paying exchange fees, as well as in projects on the BNB Chain (in DeFi, gaming applications, etc.). This allows the token to maintain demand even under regulatory pressure.

Platform tokens are also showing strong activity. Solana (SOL) has once again surpassed the $150 per coin mark in early January, for the first time since 2022. News of the launch of the first spot ETF on Solana in the U.S. at the end of 2025 has given a boost to this cryptocurrency, stimulating investment influx. The market cap of Solana has reached ~$60 billion, and the revival of projects based on Solana (DeFi applications, NFT marketplaces, etc.) supports investor optimism regarding its prospects.

Cardano (ADA), another major platform, is attracting analysts’ attention with plans for an ETF launch based on it. At the end of last year, the investment firm Grayscale filed an application in the U.S. to create an ETF linked to ADA, which triggered a surge of interest in the token. Cardano is currently trading around $0.70 (market cap of about $23 billion) following a correction from recent highs. Although the key psychological threshold of $1.00 has yet to be crossed, ADA remains one of the most promising platforms in terms of technological development, thanks to the research-oriented approach of the team and the active community of supporters.

It is also noteworthy to highlight the segment of so-called meme cryptocurrencies. In the first week of January, there was a surge in demand for high-risk "meme coins" among retail traders. For instance, Dogecoin and Shiba Inu appreciated by 15-20% over the past seven days, raising the total capitalization of niche meme tokens above $45 billion. This phenomenon indicates a continued risk appetite in certain corners of the market, even amid an overall cautious sentiment. However, such rallies in low-liquid assets typically tend to be short-lived: by the end of the weekend, meme coins' growth began to slow down. Experts warn that such volatile assets can also retract just as quickly, so participation should be approached with caution.

Institutional Investments and ETF Launches

• High Level of Institutional Involvement: Major financial organizations continue to actively participate in the cryptocurrency market. In 2025, U.S. regulators approved the first spot ETFs for Bitcoin and Ethereum, opening doors for investments from banks, hedge funds, and even pension funds. As of early 2026, institutional investors collectively own record amounts of crypto assets, viewing them as a promising class for portfolio diversification.
• New ETFs and Applications: At the end of 2025, ETFs were launched for certain altcoins—primarily for XRP and Solana—which became a significant milestone for the market. In early 2026, the range of crypto ETFs continues to expand: the financial giant Morgan Stanley has filed an official application to launch spot funds for Bitcoin and Solana. This is the first case in which one of Wall Street's largest banks has taken the initiative to launch a crypto fund, which is regarded as a signal of growing trust in digital assets.
• Capital Inflows and Outflows: Following the launch of new ETFs for Bitcoin and Ethereum at the beginning of the year, the funds attracted billions of dollars in their first days of trading. However, amid recent price corrections, a short-term capital outflow was observed: for the period of January 7-8, approximately $0.5 billion was withdrawn from American Bitcoin funds, and around $0.16 billion from Ethereum funds. Experts believe these outflows are related to profit-taking after the late 2025 rally and do not indicate a loss of confidence. Overall, inflows over the past weeks continue to outweigh outflows, and major players are not strategically reducing their positions.
• Traditional Companies Embrace Crypto: In addition to financial institutions, cryptocurrencies are increasingly being integrated into the corporate sector. For instance, one of the largest U.S. banks, Bank of America, began recommending that its clients allocate up to 4% of their investment portfolios to Bitcoin in January, recognizing its significance as an asset. Another noteworthy step came from retail giant Walmart, which announced it would start accepting cryptocurrency payments (BTC and ETH) through its OnePay Cash app. This decision theoretically allows over 150 million Walmart customers to pay with digital currencies for goods and services, marking an important milestone in the widespread acceptance of crypto assets.

Regulation and Global Trends

• Easing Positions in Major Economies: A unified regulatory framework for cryptocurrency operations is being established worldwide. In the U.S., following legal precedents in 2025 (such as the Ripple vs. SEC case), there have been increased calls for clear legislation regarding digital assets. Lawmakers and regulators are developing new norms that will allow legal investments in crypto assets without fear of status uncertainty. A federal law on stablecoins and digital assets is expected to be discussed in Congress in 2026, which may lay the groundwork for further industry growth.
• Europe Implements MiCA Regulations: The European Union is introducing the MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulatory framework aimed at unifying the approach to cryptocurrencies across all EU countries. This enhances market transparency and requirements for crypto companies while providing institutional investors with greater confidence. The unified rules in Europe are expected to attract new crypto startups and investments to the region, as legal certainty becomes a competitive advantage.
• Asian Markets Opening Up: There is an active movement towards the cryptocurrency industry in Asia. For instance, South Korean authorities have announced their intention to allow trading of spot Bitcoin ETFs on national exchanges in 2026, while simultaneously tightening regulations on stablecoins (introducing mandatory 100% reserve backing for issued stablecoins with real assets). Financial hubs in the region, such as Hong Kong and Singapore, are implementing licensing for crypto exchanges and services, seeking to become hubs for global crypto investment. These steps indicate a trend: despite differences in regulatory approaches, major economies are increasingly integrating cryptocurrencies into their financial-legal systems.

Market Sentiments and Volatility

Following a sharp rise and subsequent drop in the second half of 2025, sentiments in the cryptocurrency market remain cautious. The “fear and greed” index for cryptocurrencies has been in the fear zone since mid-December: as of January 8, it stood at 28 out of 100, reflecting prevailing investor apprehension. A prolonged period of low index values is often seen as a sign of market overselling—previously, similar levels frequently preceded upward reversals, as the most nervous participants had already exited their positions. Nevertheless, the enduring fear indicates that confidence following the recent downturn has not fully recovered.

Volatility in the market remains elevated. Sharp price movements in the first days of January led to a wave of margin position liquidations. Thus, on January 8 alone, positions totaling over $450 million were liquidated, with most of this amount stemming from long positions targeting price increases. The rapid decline in prices forced approximately 120,000 traders to close their positions at a loss. This episode serves as a reminder of the risks for players using high leverage: overly optimistic bets on upward movements can lead to "liquidation" of long positions and exacerbate price declines. Similar cases have occurred in the cryptocurrency market's history (for example, in October 2025, one-day liquidations reached a record $19 billion), underscoring the need for caution.

Experts advise investors to maintain steadiness and manage risks carefully. Until new fundamental growth drivers (such as an improved macroeconomic situation or revolutionary technological breakthroughs) emerge on the horizon, any spikes in optimism may quickly give way to profit-taking. The mixed sentiment—ranging from cautious fear in general to local surges of excitement over individual tokens—indicates a transitional stage for the market. Many analysts believe that the current consolidation may continue in the coming weeks. Nonetheless, long-term investors remain optimistic: the fundamental factors driving the industry (growing adoption of blockchain technologies, institutional interest, improved regulation) have not disappeared. In the absence of new shocks, the market is poised to gradually regain upward momentum in the second half of 2026. In any case, market participants are advised to closely monitor economic data and news—they will define the trajectory of the cryptocurrency market in the near future.

Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies

1. Bitcoin (BTC) – the first and largest cryptocurrency. BTC is trading around $92,000 after recent fluctuations, with a market capitalization of approximately $1.8 trillion (≈58% of the total market). Bitcoin is perceived by investors as "digital gold" and a fundamental asset for many investment strategies in the crypto industry.
2. Ethereum (ETH) – the leading altcoin and smart contract platform. ETH price remains around $3,300, significantly lower than historical peaks; however, Ethereum confidently retains the second rank in market capitalization (~$390 billion, ≈12% of the market). Ethereum serves as the foundation of the DeFi and NFT ecosystems, continuing to attract developers and investors.
3. Tether (USDT) – the largest stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar at 1:1. USDT is widely utilized by traders for settlements and capital storage between trades. Its market capitalization is about $170 billion; due to full reserve backing, the coin consistently maintains a price of $1.00, serving as a sort of "safe haven" in the volatile market.
4. Ripple (XRP) – token of the Ripple payment network for cross-border settlements. XRP is currently trading around $2.00, with a market cap of about $110 billion. Legal clarity regarding XRP's status in the U.S. after the court decision in 2025 and the launch of an ETF for this token have strengthened investor confidence. XRP has returned to its place among market leaders, remaining appealing for payments and asset tokenization.
5. Binance Coin (BNB) – the coin of the largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, and the native token of the BNB Chain. BNB is valued at around $500 (market cap of ~ $80 billion). Despite regulatory complexities surrounding Binance, the token remains in the top 5 due to its wide range of applications: BNB is used for exchange fee payments, participating in token sales, and operating decentralized applications in the Binance ecosystem.
6. Solana (SOL) – a high-performance blockchain platform for decentralized applications (dApps). SOL is trading around $150 per coin (market cap ~ $60 billion), having recovered a significant portion of the decline from the autumn of 2025. Interest in Solana is supported by the launch of the first ETF for this asset and the development of projects built upon it, returning the platform to its position as one of the technological leaders.
7. USD Coin (USDC) – the second-largest stablecoin, backed by U.S. dollar reserves (issued by Circle). USDC consistently maintains a price of $1.00 due to regular audit of reserves, with a market cap of about $60 billion. The coin is actively used by institutional investors and in DeFi protocols, offering transparency and trust in the stablecoin segment.
8. Cardano (ADA) – a blockchain platform with a research-based approach to development. ADA is currently priced at about $0.70 (market cap ~ $23 billion) following a correction from recent highs. Cardano is attracting attention due to the anticipated launch of an ETF for its token and ongoing network development. The project's community believes in long-term growth, and the emphasis on scientific justification of decisions sets ADA apart from its competitors.
9. TRON (TRX) – a platform for smart contracts and decentralized entertainment, particularly popular in Asia. TRX is trading around $0.25 (market cap ~ $22 billion). TRON maintains its presence in the top 10 partly due to the extensive use of its network for issuing stablecoins (a significant portion of USDT is traded on the Tron blockchain), as well as its active Asian user base.
10. Dogecoin (DOGE) – the most well-known "meme cryptocurrency," created as a joke. DOGE is holding around $0.14 (market cap ~ $21 billion), supported by an active community and intermittent attention from celebrities. Although Dogecoin's volatility remains high, this coin continues to rank among the largest, demonstrating remarkable resilience of investor interest in high-risk assets.