Current Cryptocurrency News for Friday, January 9, 2026: Bitcoin Holds Above $90,000, Altcoin Surge, Top 10 Cryptocurrency Overview, and Key Global Trends for Investors.
The global cryptocurrency market confidently begins the year 2026. The total market capitalization of digital assets has exceeded $3 trillion, gaining approximately 5% in the first week of January. Bitcoin (BTC) remains steadily above the $90,000 mark, while several major altcoins are outpacing its growth. For instance, Ethereum (ETH) has increased by about 10% since the start of the year, and XRP has surged by over 25%, indicating a return of investor interest in risk assets.
Market optimism is fueled by a combination of factors: expectations of easing monetary policy, the emergence of new institutional products (such as spot ETFs for cryptocurrencies), and technological advancements. Amid clarification in regulations, several large financial firms are expanding their presence in the crypto industry, enhancing investor trust worldwide.
Bitcoin: Dynamics and Trends
In the first week of January, Bitcoin shows a moderately positive trend after the volatile end of the previous year. At the beginning of the week, the price of BTC rose above $93,000, and at the time of writing, it holds steady at around $92,000, approximately 6% higher than the start of the year. Despite the downturn at the end of 2025, when Bitcoin retreated from its all-time high of approximately $126,000 (reached in mid-2025), the current recovery signals a resurgence of bullish sentiment.
Experts note that for Bitcoin to confirm a new upward trend, it must surpass the psychologically significant level of $100,000. The nearest technical resistances are around $94,000 to $95,000, while key support levels are estimated in the range of $88,000 to $90,000. The interest of institutional investors and signs of declining inflationary pressure bolster optimism surrounding Bitcoin.
Ethereum: Network Update and Price
The second-largest asset by market cap, Ethereum (ETH), is trading around $3,200, having strengthened by approximately 10% since the beginning of the year. The price of ETH remains below its all-time high of $4,950 (achieved in August 2025); however, sentiments surrounding Ethereum are positive due to progress in network development. On January 7, Ethereum developers successfully activated the "Fusaka" update (BPO-2), increasing the blockchain's throughput by raising the data limit (so-called "blobs") in each block. Improvements in scalability and reduced fees enhance Ethereum's appeal to developers and DeFi users, which may support the future value of ETH.
Altcoins: XRP and Other Growth Leaders
Among altcoins at the beginning of 2026, XRP stands out, ranking in the top 5 cryptocurrencies. Its price has jumped by approximately 25% (to around $2.2) in just the first week of January. The main reasons for XRP's rally include:
- Inflow of funds into XRP funds: At the end of 2025, against the backdrop of a general decline, there was a capital inflow into spot ETFs focused on XRP, while Bitcoin and Ether ETFs experienced outflows. This laid the groundwork for XRP's growth in January.
- Increased attention: XRP has become a focal point of heightened interest, gaining media reputation as the "favorite" at the outset of 2026, fueling demand from both retail and institutional investors.
- Fundamental factors: Ripple is expanding its global presence (partnerships in Asia, plans for a crypto bank in the US), and the supply of XRP on exchanges is decreasing. These changes strengthen trust in the token.
As a result, XRP demonstrates the best performance among major cryptocurrencies, although such a sharp rise may also lead to increased volatility. In addition to XRP, other altcoins have continued to rise. Solana (SOL) has strengthened above $130 amid a revitalization of its ecosystem and interest from institutions (including expectations for an ETF launch on SOL). Binance Coin (BNB) has reached new highs at approximately $900, reflecting confidence in the Binance platform. Tron (TRX), Cardano (ADA), and the meme token Dogecoin (DOGE) also remain in the top ten, although their recent growth has been more restrained.
Institutional Adoption and Regulation
The integration of cryptocurrencies into the global financial sector continues to deepen, aided by such developments as:
- New products from banks: Morgan Stanley has become the first major bank to file applications with the SEC for Bitcoin and Solana-linked ETFs. This move enhances the legitimacy of the crypto industry and may prompt competitors to follow suit.
- Crypto in client portfolios: Bank of America has allowed its advisors to include cryptocurrencies up to 4% in portfolios. This step reflects the recognition of cryptocurrencies as an asset class in traditional banking.
- Regulatory adaptation: In the US, regulatory policies have become more lenient: for example, in December, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) permitted banks to facilitate cryptocurrency transactions, bridging traditional finance and digital assets. In the European Union, the comprehensive MiCA regulation is coming into effect, introducing unified rules for the crypto market and boosting institutional investor confidence.
- Expansion of payment infrastructure: Visa reported that spending with its crypto cards increased by 525% in 2025. The company is expanding support for stablecoins (across various blockchains), demonstrating the integration of cryptocurrencies into the global payment system.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies: Market Overview
As of early 2026, the largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization include the following digital assets:
- Bitcoin (BTC): The largest cryptocurrency (~$1.8 trillion). BTC remains around $92,000, attributed to the return of institutional interest (ETFs, etc.) after the downturn at the end of 2025.
- Ethereum (ETH): The second-largest asset (~$380 billion). ETH trades around $3,200 (+10% since the beginning of the year); recent network upgrades improve its scalability and reinforce investor confidence.
- Tether (USDT): The leading stablecoin ($1, market cap ~$187 billion), providing high market liquidity and widely used for transactions in the crypto economy.
- XRP (XRP): One of the top 5 crypto assets (~$130 billion). XRP (~$2.2) surged by ~25% at the beginning of the year, supported by institutional inflows and Ripple's success in promoting the token.
- Binance Coin (BNB): Token of the Binance ecosystem (~$124 billion). BNB (~$900) is near its historical high, reflecting high demand for Binance services and the coin's utility within the platform.
- Solana (SOL): A platform for decentralized applications (~$76 billion). SOL (~$135) continues its recovery due to high network speed and attention from major investors (ETF launch expected).
- USD Coin (USDC): Stablecoin ($1, ~$75 billion), issued by the Centre consortium. USDC attracts users with its reserve transparency and regulatory recognition.
- Tron (TRX): Token of the Tron network (~$28 billion). TRX (~$0.29) is in high demand in Asia due to the network's active use for cross-border transfers and stablecoin transactions.
- Dogecoin (DOGE): Meme cryptocurrency (~$25 billion). DOGE (~$0.15) remains in the top ten due to community support and periodic spikes in social media interest.
- Cardano (ADA): Smart contract platform (~$14 billion). ADA (~$0.40) is steadily developing, allowing the project to remain among leading crypto assets, although price growth is restrained.
Macroeconomic Background
External conditions at the beginning of 2026 are having a mixed impact on the cryptocurrency market. On one hand, the U.S. Federal Reserve lowered the key interest rate for the first time in a long period in December 2025, triggering a rally in stock markets. Easing monetary policy traditionally enhances the appeal of risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.
However, there are also constraining factors. By the end of 2025, gold rose to a record $4,300 per ounce amid geopolitical risks, indicating a capital outflow to "safe havens." Additionally, interest rates remain high, limiting the influx of funds into digital assets. Thus, some investors have begun increasing their cryptocurrency allocations in anticipation of further easing, while others still prefer safe assets.
Market Prospects
The start of 2026 instills cautious optimism among market participants. Many experts believe that the market reached its "bottom" at the end of 2025, suggesting a potential recovery period ahead. Continued institutional inflows, technological progress, and easing monetary policy support a scenario of further growth.
If positive trends continue, Bitcoin and leading altcoins are likely to eventually return to and exceed their historical peaks. However, rapid growth does not exclude risks: deteriorating macroeconomic conditions (e.g., a new wave of capital flight to gold) or stringent regulatory measures may dampen the market. In such circumstances, investors should maintain a balanced approach and vigilantly monitor external signals.
Overall, the industry enters 2026 with a more developed infrastructure and support from major players. In the absence of upheavals, cryptocurrencies have the potential for a successful year; however, high volatility necessitates discipline and a long-term outlook in investing.
