Cryptocurrency News for Thursday, January 29, 2026: Bitcoin Stabilizes Around $90,000, Altcoins Exhibit Mixed Dynamics, Institutional Interest Grows, Top 10 Cryptocurrency Overview, and Global Crypto Market Trends.
As of the morning of January 29, 2026, the global cryptocurrency market demonstrates relative stability following recent volatility. The total market capitalization of digital assets hovers around $3.2 trillion, with only slight changes over the past 24 hours. The dynamics within the top 100 cryptocurrencies are mixed: some coins continue to recover after mid-month corrections, while others remain under pressure. Investors maintain interest in crypto assets amid signals of a more accommodative monetary policy and gradual regulatory improvements worldwide. The beginning of 2026 is marked by cautious optimism: despite recent price fluctuations, the industry strengthens its position due to the influx of institutional capital and growing integration of blockchain technologies.
Macroeconomic Background and Market Response
External factors continue to influence sentiments in the cryptocurrency market. This week, investor attention was focused on the first Federal Reserve meeting of 2026. The Fed’s decision to keep the key interest rate unchanged met market expectations and was perceived positively: short-term uncertainty regarding monetary policy has decreased. This has alleviated pressure on risk assets, including cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin and Ethereum prices, which were declining before the announcement, stabilized and began to show cautious growth. At the same time, limiting factors persist: the global economy still faces geopolitical uncertainty and signs of slowing growth, which may restrict investors' appetite for high-risk assets. Nevertheless, the overall macroeconomic environment at the start of the year appears more favorable for the crypto market than it was at the end of 2025, thanks to easing inflation pressures and expectations of further central bank policy loosening.
Bitcoin: Stability After Correction
Bitcoin (BTC) remains around the $90,000 mark, indicating signs of stabilization after the volatile fluctuations of the past month. Earlier in January, the flagship cryptocurrency climbed above $95,000, coming close to the psychologically significant threshold of $100,000, but then experienced a correction amid general investor caution. The current recovery of Bitcoin is linked to improved sentiments following the Fed's decisions and the influx of new capital: large investors see the proximity of interest rates to a peak as a signal to resume purchases of risk assets. The market capitalization of BTC still exceeds $1.7 trillion, representing more than 55% of the entire cryptocurrency market, reflecting Bitcoin's status as "digital gold" and the main industry indicator. Analysts note that for a confident return to a bullish trend, Bitcoin needs to overcome the resistance area of $95–100 thousand. Should the macroeconomic backdrop continue to improve and institutional investor interest remain, BTC has a chance to retest historical highs, while the nearest support levels remain in the $85–88 thousand range.
Ethereum: Network Activity Maintained
Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, trades above $3,000, also attempting to consolidate after a recent downturn. Currently, the price of ETH fluctuates around $3,200, close to the levels at the beginning of the month. Over the past two weeks, Ethereum, like Bitcoin, experienced a decline of about 10% from local highs, but investor interest remains high. Against the backdrop of market stabilization, the activity on the Ethereum network continues to grow: transaction volumes and the amount of locked funds in DeFi protocols remain at elevated levels. At the start of 2026, Ethereum developers are focused on further updates aimed at scaling the network and reducing fees, instilling confidence in the platform's long-term potential. There is also a noted influx of funds into Ethereum-related investment products, with new exchange-traded funds entering the market focused on a basket of altcoins and ETH tokens, contributing to capital inflows into the ecosystem. Overall, Ethereum moves in tandem with Bitcoin, maintaining a market share of around 18%, and many market participants view current levels as attractive for long-term investments, anticipating future technological upgrades of the network.
Altcoins: Diverse Dynamics
The altcoin market at the end of January shows mixed results. Some major altcoins follow Bitcoin, attempting to recover their losses, while others continue to correct. Notably, Ripple (XRP) has strengthened recently: the token of the Ripple payment network has gained in price over the past few days and hovers around $2.10. Investors positively assess the resilience of XRP after the removal of regulatory uncertainty last year, as well as the growing adoption of Ripple's solutions for cross-border payments by large financial companies. Chainlink (LINK) also remains in focus: at the beginning of the month, this oracle cryptocurrency surged into the top ten by market capitalization due to double-digit growth driven by the launch of the first spot ETF based on Chainlink. Currently, LINK is consolidating after its jump, trading below the $50 mark, but maintains significant support from the community and developers who have integrated its oracles into numerous blockchain applications. In general, top altcoins exhibit uneven movement: Solana (SOL) is attempting to strengthen after a decline, supported by increased application activity on its blockchain, while some previously fast-growing projects (like meme cryptocurrencies) face profit-taking. Nevertheless, the overall share of altcoins in the market capitalization remains around 45%, and periodic capital rotations between Bitcoin and altcoins continue depending on news background and risk appetite.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin (BTC) — the first and largest cryptocurrency. BTC trades around $90,000, reaffirming its role as "digital gold" and the main sentiment indicator of the crypto market. Its limited supply and recognition from institutional investors support long-term demand for Bitcoin.
- Ethereum (ETH) — the second-largest digital asset by market capitalization and leading platform for smart contracts. The price of ETH is approximately $3,200; Ethereum serves as a base for DeFi and NFT ecosystems. Continuous technical updates and high demand for the network's services strengthen Ethereum's market position.
- Tether (USDT) — the largest stablecoin pegged to the US dollar (1:1). USDT is widely used for trading and payments, providing liquidity in the cryptocurrency market. Tether's market capitalization exceeds $150 billion, with the coin consistently maintaining a price of $1.00 due to reserve backing.
- Binance Coin (BNB) — the native token of the largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance. BNB is used for paying fees on the platform and in BNB Chain applications. The coin trades around $900, remaining near historical highs, while its market capitalization (approximately $140 billion) secures its position among market leaders.
- Ripple (XRP) — the token of the Ripple payment platform for cross-border transfers. XRP is around $2.10, with a market capitalization estimated at about $110 billion. Recent legal clarity in the US and the growing use of Ripple technology by banks have strengthened XRP's position in the top 5 cryptocurrencies.
- USD Coin (USDC) — the second most important stablecoin backed by dollar reserves (developed by Circle). USDC maintains a stable price of $1.00 and has a market capitalization of about $60 billion. Due to reserve transparency and regulation, USDC is widely used by institutional investors and in the DeFi sector.
- Solana (SOL) — a high-performance blockchain platform for decentralized applications. SOL trades around $140 per coin (market capitalization ~ $55 billion), attempting to recover after a recent correction. Solana attracts developers with the scalability of its network and low fees, competing with Ethereum in the smart contracts space.
- Tron (TRX) — a blockchain platform known for active use in entertainment and the issuance of stablecoins. TRX is priced around $0.30 (market value ~ $27 billion) and retains a place in the top ten due to its popularity in the Asian region and integration with content and financial applications.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) — the most well-known meme cryptocurrency that started as a joke. DOGE trades around $0.14 (market capitalization ~ $20 billion) and is supported by community enthusiasm and periodic interest from celebrities. Despite high volatility and lack of limited supply, Dogecoin continues to be used for micropayments and remains one of the most mentioned altcoins.
- Cardano (ADA) — a blockchain platform developed with a scientific approach. ADA is priced around $0.40 (market capitalization ~ $14 billion) following significant growth in previous years and a subsequent correction. The Cardano project focuses on scalability and security for smart contracts; an active community and ongoing technical updates keep ADA among the most popular cryptocurrencies.
Institutional Investments and Crypto-ETFs
At the beginning of 2026, the cryptocurrency market receives significant support from institutional investors. The flow of capital into specialized crypto products continues to grow: in January, total investments in cryptocurrency funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) surpassed the figures at the end of last year. There remains a particular interest in Bitcoin ETFs launched in the US in the fall of 2025: according to industry analysts, the influx of funds into spot Bitcoin funds reached a record $1.5 billion during the first weeks of January. Furthermore, new ETFs oriented toward Ethereum and baskets of leading altcoins have entered the market, expanding opportunities for traditional financial players to invest in digital assets. At the same time, trading volumes on regulated futures markets are increasing: open interest in Bitcoin futures and options has risen by more than 10% since the beginning of the year, reflecting the resurgence of trader activity.
Institutional interest is also manifesting through direct investments. Large public companies continue to add to their cryptocurrency reserves: this week, several corporations from the technology and finance sectors announced acquisitions of Bitcoin and Ethereum to diversify their treasury reserves. The persistence of players such as MicroStrategy (whose BTC reserves exceed 700,000 BTC) serves as a gauge of long-term confidence in Bitcoin's potential. Additionally, payment giants are expanding their work with crypto assets: for instance, Visa and Mastercard report an increase in transactions using stablecoins and cryptocurrency cards, integrating blockchain solutions into their global payment infrastructure. All these trends indicate that digital assets are increasingly penetrating the traditional financial system, gaining recognition as a legitimate investment class.
Regulation and Global Adoption
The regulatory environment surrounding cryptocurrencies is gradually improving, creating conditions for broader adoption of digital assets worldwide. In many jurisdictions, new rules are coming into effect at the start of 2026 aimed at making the market more transparent and secure for investors without stifling innovation. Here are some key changes and initiatives:
- European Union: As of January, the comprehensive Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation has officially entered into force, introducing uniform requirements for crypto assets and the activities of crypto companies within the EU. The new rules enhance market transparency and establish investor protection standards, fostering greater trust among institutional participants.
- United States: In the United States, work on comprehensive cryptocurrency legislation will continue. While final laws at the federal level have not yet been enacted, regulators (SEC, CFTC, etc.) are actively discussing oversight approaches for the industry. At the beginning of 2026, Congress resumed hearings on stablecoin regulation and digital token classification, providing hope for clearer rules in the near future.
- Asia: Asia-Pacific countries are accelerating the integration of cryptocurrencies into the financial sector. In Hong Kong and Singapore, licensing regimes for crypto exchanges and platforms have been introduced, attracting blockchain companies from around the globe to these financial hubs. In Japan, regulators are easing restrictions for banks looking to offer crypto services, while South Korea is discussing tax relief for investors in digital assets.
- Middle East: Gulf States are striving to become hubs for the crypto industry. The United Arab Emirates is implementing progressive regulatory frameworks, attracting major cryptocurrency exchanges to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, while Saudi Arabia invests in blockchain startups as part of economic diversification. These steps enhance the region's position as one of the centers of the global crypto business.
In addition to legislative initiatives, technological integration is intensifying: central banks in many countries continue experimenting with central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and exploring the use of blockchain to enhance the efficiency of financial services. The traditional financial sector is actively adopting distributed ledger technologies: large exchanges and banks are testing the tokenization of stocks and bonds, implementing blockchain for faster settlements and cost reductions. All these trends indicate a gradual entrenchment of cryptocurrencies and related technologies in the global economy while strengthening oversight and trust from regulatory bodies.
Market Outlook
Despite the fluctuations experienced in recent months, the overall outlook for the cryptocurrency market remains moderately optimistic. Experts note that the correction at the end of 2025 laid the foundation for healthier growth going forward: excessive hype has been alleviated, and participants with long-term plans are entering the market. In the short term, the dynamics of crypto assets will depend on external factors — including macroeconomic developments and geopolitical events. Easing tensions in global markets and the continuation of stimulus policies could restore investors' risk appetite, serving as a driver for a new rally in digital assets.
Meanwhile, the strengthening of institutional infrastructure and the clarification of rules create a more stable foundation for the industry than in previous years. The emergence of regulated investment products, increased corporate trust, and the integration of blockchain solutions across various economic sectors indicate the maturation of the crypto market. It is likely that in 2026, the market will retain volatility in response to global events, but each cycle makes the industry more mature: investors gain experience, technologies improve, and digital currencies become increasingly integrated into the global financial system. For investors, this signifies the necessity to remain vigilant, but also an understanding that fundamental trends — such as the growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies and the development of innovations — continue to work in favor of the industry's long-term growth.
