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

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

Market Overview

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

Bitcoin: Consolidation and Growth Boundaries

Bitcoin continues to consolidate around the ~$90–$92k marks at the beginning of the new week. Following a volatile start to the year, the first cryptocurrency is attempting to establish itself above $90,000: on January 5, BTC briefly rose to ~$94.8k (a local maximum in recent months), and then a correction followed, during which the price fell below $90,000 on January 8. Currently, Bitcoin has recovered most of the dip and returned to ~$92,000, which is about 3-4% higher than the beginning-of-year levels. Current quotes remain approximately 25% below the historical maximum (~$124,000, reached in August 2025), however, investors note the resilience of BTC at the heights achieved.

Analysts point out that the $90–95k area for Bitcoin has become a new psychological resistance zone: sellers actively take profits when attempts to rise above these levels occur, while buyers support the price during pullbacks. Macroeconomic uncertainty (including upcoming inflation data) restrains sharp movements, but fundamental factors remain positive. Bitcoin is still perceived by many as "digital gold" and a safe-haven asset. Recent geopolitical events have increased interest in BTC as a safe haven: amidst international tensions, investors sought refuge in Bitcoin, while rumors about large BTC holdings by some states (and the possibility of their seizure) have added bullish expectations to the market.

Ethereum Maintains Second Place

Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, is moving in line with general 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 its highest point since fall last year. On a weekly basis, Ethereum has gained approximately 5-6%, confidently maintaining its status as the largest altcoin. Although the current price is significantly lower than its all-time high (~$4,900 in November 2021), Ethereum shows stability and attracts investors with its technological potential.

The market capitalization of Ethereum currently stands at around $380 billion (approximately 12% of the total market capitalization), which has reaffirmed its second position in the industry. Interest in the smart contract platform remains high: the launch of the first spot ETFs on Ethereum in 2025 has opened convenient access to ETH for institutional investors, ensuring a record influx of capital into related funds. Major players view Ethereum as the base infrastructure for decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and other Web3 applications. Ongoing technical development of the network (protocol updates, layer-two scaling solutions) combined with institutional support provides grounds to expect Ethereum to maintain strong positions and potential value growth in the medium term.

Altcoins: Mixed Dynamics

The altcoin market at the start of the week shows mixed dynamics. The total market capitalization of all alternative cryptocurrencies (excluding Bitcoin) is holding around ~$1.35 trillion, which is lower than last summer's peak values (~$1.7 trillion) but reflects sustained investor interest in digital assets outside of Bitcoin. Many leading altcoins, after experiencing a surge in the first half of 2025, underwent a correction in the fall and are now trying to find a new equilibrium.

Among the largest altcoins stands out Ripple (XRP). The token of the Ripple payment network is holding 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 on XRP. The market capitalization of XRP is estimated at around $110 billion, bringing it back into the top three market leaders. Interest from institutional investors in XRP has noticeably increased following the opportunities to invest in this asset through ETFs, reinforcing the long-term positive outlook for it.

Another notable player is Binance Coin (BNB), the native token of the largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance. Despite regulatory challenges surrounding Binance last year, BNB is trading around $500 (market cap of approximately $80 billion) and remains in the top 5 cryptocurrencies. Current prices are below historical highs (~$750), yet the token shows resilience due to its wide range of applications: BNB is actively used for fee payments on the exchange, as well as in projects on the BNB Chain blockchain (in DeFi, gaming applications, etc.). This allows the token to maintain demand even under regulatory pressure.

High activity is also observed among platform tokens. Solana (SOL) has once again surpassed the $150 mark per coin at the beginning of January, the first time since 2022. News about the launch of the first spot ETF on Solana in the U.S. at the end of 2025 provided momentum for the growth of this cryptocurrency, stimulating investment inflows. The capitalization of Solana reached ~$60 billion, and the revival of the ecosystem of projects based on Solana (DeFi applications, NFT marketplaces, etc.) supports investor optimism about its prospects.

Cardano (ADA), another major platform, attracts analysts' attention with its plans to launch ETFs based on its assets. At the end of last year, investment firm Grayscale applied in the U.S. to create an exchange fund linked to ADA, which caused a surge in interest in the token. Currently, Cardano is trading around $0.70 (market cap of approximately $23 billion) after correcting from local highs. Although the key psychological threshold of $1.00 has yet to be overcome, ADA remains one of the most promising platforms in terms of technological development, thanks to the research-focused approach of the team and an 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 example, Dogecoin and Shiba Inu rose by 15-20% over the past 7 days, lifting the total market capitalization of niche meme tokens above $45 billion. This phenomenon indicates a sustained risk appetite in certain corners of the market, even amid overall cautious sentiment. However, such rallies in low-liquid assets are usually short-lived: by the end of the weekend, the growth of meme coins began to slow. Experts warn that such volatile assets can just as quickly retreat, so participation in them should be approached with particular caution.

Institutional Investments and ETF Launches

• High Engagement of Institutional Investors: Large 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 hold record volumes 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 several altcoins—primarily for XRP and Solana—marking an important milestone for the market. At the beginning of 2026, the expansion of crypto-ETF offerings continues: financial giant Morgan Stanley has filed an official application to launch spot funds for Bitcoin and Solana. This is the first instance where one of Wall Street's largest banks has directly initiated a cryptocurrency fund launch, which is perceived as a signal of growing trust in digital assets.
• Capital Inflows and Outflows: After the launch of new ETFs for Bitcoin and Ethereum at the beginning of the year, the funds attracted billions of dollars within the first days of trading. However, against the backdrop of price corrections in recent days, short-term capital outflows were observed: during the period of January 7-8, approximately $0.5 billion was withdrawn from American Bitcoin funds, while around $0.16 billion was withdrawn from Ethereum funds. Experts believe that these outflows are related to profit-taking after the rally of late 2025 and do not signify a loss of confidence. Overall inflows over the past weeks still exceed outflows, and major players are not strategically reducing their positions.
• Traditional Companies Adopting Crypto: Beyond financial institutions, cryptocurrencies are increasingly integrating into the corporate sector. For example, one of the largest banks in the U.S., Bank of America, began recommending its clients include Bitcoin up to 4% in their investment portfolios in January, recognizing its significance as an asset. Walmart, a major retail giant, also announced the beginning of 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 mainstream adoption of crypto assets.

Regulation and Global Trends

• Loosening Positions in Major Economies: Globally, the formation of unified rules for working with cryptocurrencies continues. In the U.S., following legal precedents in 2025 (e.g., the Ripple vs. SEC case), there have been intensified calls for clear legislation in the field of digital assets. Lawmakers and regulators are developing new norms that will allow for legal investments in crypto assets without fear of status ambiguity. A federal law on stablecoins and digital assets is expected to be discussed in Congress in 2026, which could lay the groundwork for further industry growth.
• Europe Implements MiCA Rules: The European Union is implementing a regulatory framework known as MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets), aimed at standardizing the approach to cryptocurrencies across EU countries. This increases market transparency and requirements for crypto companies, while simultaneously providing institutional investors with greater confidence. Unified rules in Europe are expected to attract new crypto startups and investments to the region, as legal clarity becomes a competitive advantage.
• Asian Markets Opening Up: In Asia, there is ongoing active movement toward the crypto industry. For example, South Korean authorities announced plans to allow spot Bitcoin ETF trading on national exchanges in 2026 while simultaneously tightening stablecoin regulations (mandatory 100% backing of issued stablecoins with real assets). Financial hubs in the region, such as Hong Kong and Singapore, are implementing licensing for crypto exchanges and services, aiming to become hubs for global crypto investments. These steps indicate a trend: despite differences in approaches, major economies are increasingly integrating cryptocurrencies into their financial-legal systems.

Market Sentiments and Volatility

After rapid growth and subsequent decline in the second half of 2025, sentiments in the cryptocurrency market remain restrained. The "fear and greed" index for cryptocurrencies has been in the fear zone since mid-December: as of January 8, it stood at 28 points out of 100, reflecting predominant investor apprehension. Prolonged periods of low index values are often viewed as signs of market overselling—previously, similar levels frequently preceded upward reversals, as the most nervous participants have already exited positions. Nevertheless, the prevailing fear indicates that confidence after the recent crash has not yet fully recovered.

Volatility in the market remains elevated. Sharp price movements in the early days of January led to a wave of liquidation of margin positions. For example, on January 8, positions totaling over $450 million were liquidated in one day, with the majority of this sum coming from long positions (bets on growth). The rapid decline in quotes forced about 120 thousand traders to close their trades at losses. This episode served as a reminder of the risks for players using high leverage: overly optimistic bets on growth can lead to a "squeeze" of long positions and exacerbate price declines. The history of the crypto market has seen similar situations (for example, in October 2025, one-day liquidations reached a record $19 billion), underscoring the need for caution.

Experts advise investors to maintain composure and manage risks carefully. Until new fundamental growth drivers emerge (such as improvements in the macroeconomic situation or revolutionary technological breakthroughs), any surges of optimism may quickly transition to profit-taking. The mix of sentiments—from cautious fear overall to local bursts of enthusiasm for specific tokens—reflects a transitional phase for the market. Many analysts believe that current consolidation may continue in the coming weeks. Nevertheless, long-term investors remain optimistic: fundamental development factors in the industry (growing adoption of blockchain technologies, institutional interest, regulatory improvements) have not vanished. In the absence of new shocks, the market is capable of gradually regaining its upward momentum in the second half of 2026. In any case, market participants are recommended to closely monitor economic data and news as they will determine the trajectory of the cryptocurrency market in the near future.

Top 10 Popular Cryptocurrencies

1. Bitcoin (BTC) — the first and largest cryptocurrency. BTC is trading around $92,000 following recent fluctuations, with a market capitalization of approximately $1.8 trillion (≈58% of the entire 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. The price of ETH is holding around $3,300, which is significantly below historical highs, yet Ethereum confidently maintains its second position by 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 a 1:1 ratio. USDT is widely used by traders for transactions and storing capital between trades. Its market capitalization is around $170 billion; thanks to full reserve backing, the coin consistently maintains a price of $1.00, acting as a sort of "safe haven" in the volatile market.
4. Ripple (XRP) — the token of the Ripple payment network for cross-border transactions. XRP is currently trading around $2.00, with a market capitalization of about $110 billion. The legal clarity of XRP's status in the U.S. following the court's decision in 2025 and the launch of ETFs on this token have reinforced investor trust. XRP has managed to regain its place among market leaders, remaining attractive for payments and asset tokenization.
5. Binance Coin (BNB) — the coin of the largest crypto exchange Binance and the native token of the BNB Chain network. BNB is priced around $500 (market cap ~ $80 billion). Despite regulatory challenges surrounding Binance, the token remains in the top 5 due to its wide range of applications: BNB is used for paying fees on the exchange, 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 fall from autumn 2025. Interest in Solana is supported by the launch of the first ETF on this asset and the development of projects based on it, returning the platform to its position as one of the technological leaders.
7. USD Coin (USDC) — the second-largest stablecoin, backed by reserves in U.S. dollars (issued by Circle). USDC consistently holds a price of $1.00 thanks to regular audits of reserves, with a market capitalization 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 approximately $0.70 (market cap ~ $23 billion) after correcting from recent highs. Cardano attracts attention with its planned launch of ETFs based on its token and ongoing network development. The project's community believes in long-term growth, and the emphasis on the scientific basis of decisions distinguishes ADA from 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 remains in the top 10 partly due to the widespread use of its network for issuing stablecoins (a significant portion of USDT is traded on the Tron blockchain), as well as an 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 occasional celebrity attention. While the volatility of Dogecoin remains high, this coin continues to be among the top ten, demonstrating remarkable resilience in investor interest for high-risk assets.