Current Cryptocurrency News for Friday, January 9, 2026: Bitcoin Holds Above $90,000, Altcoin Growth, Top-10 Cryptocurrency Overview, and Key Global Trends for Investors.
The global cryptocurrency market confidently begins 2026. The total market capitalization of digital assets has exceeded $3 trillion, gaining about 5% during the first week of January. Bitcoin (BTC) is steadily holding above the $90,000 mark, while several major altcoins are outpacing it in growth. For instance, Ethereum (ETH) has gained approximately 10% since the start of the year, while XRP has surged over 25%, indicating a renewed interest from investors in riskier assets.
The optimism in the market is bolstered by a combination of factors: expectations for a easing of monetary policy, the introduction of new institutional products (such as spot ETFs for cryptocurrencies), and technological advances. In the wake of clearer regulations, several major financial companies are expanding their presence in the crypto industry, enhancing investor trust globally.
Bitcoin: Dynamics and Trends
Bitcoin shows a moderately positive trend in the first week of January after a volatile end to the previous year. At the beginning of the week, the BTC price surged above $93,000, while currently it hovers around $92,000, marking approximately a 6% increase from the start of the year. Despite the decline at the end of 2025, when Bitcoin fell from its record high (approximately $126,000, reached mid-last year), the current recovery signals a return of bullish sentiment.
Experts note that for Bitcoin to confirm a new bullish trend, it must surpass the psychologically significant level of $100,000. The nearest technical resistances are located around $94–95,000, while key support zones are estimated in the range of $88–90,000. Interest from institutional investors and indications of reduced inflationary pressure bolster optimism surrounding Bitcoin.
Ethereum: Network Upgrade and Price
The second-largest asset by market capitalization, Ethereum (ETH), is trading around $3,200, having strengthened approximately 10% since the beginning of the year. The ETH price remains below its record peak ($4,950, achieved in August 2025), yet sentiments surrounding Ethereum are positive due to progress in network development. On January 7, Ethereum developers successfully activated the “Fusaka” upgrade (BPO-2), increasing blockchain throughput by enhancing the data limit (so-called “blobs”) in each block. Improvements in scalability and reduced fees enhance Ethereum's attractiveness to developers and DeFi users, which could support ETH's value in the long run.
Altcoins: XRP and Other Growth Leaders
Among altcoins in early 2026, XRP stands out as it enters the top 5 cryptocurrencies. Its price soared approximately 25% (to ~$2.2) in just the first week of January. The primary reasons for XRP's rally are:
- Inflow of funds into XRP funds: At the end of 2025, amidst a general downturn, there was a capital influx into spot ETFs on XRP, while Bitcoin and Ether ETFs experienced outflows. This created a base for January's growth in XRP.
- Increased attention: XRP has become a focal point of heightened interest, garnering a media reputation as a “favorite” at the start of 2026, which fueled demand from both retail and institutional investors.
- Fundamental factors: Ripple is expanding its global presence (partnerships in Asia, plans to launch a crypto bank in the USA), while the supply of XRP on exchanges is decreasing. These changes reinforce trust in the token.
As a result, XRP is demonstrating the best performance among major cryptocurrencies, although such a sharp rise may also bring increased volatility. Other altcoins have continued to rise as well. Solana (SOL) strengthened above $130 amid a revival of its ecosystem and interest from institutional players (including expectations for an ETF launch on SOL). Binance Coin (BNB) reached a new high, hitting ~$900, indicating strong confidence in the Binance platform. Tron (TRX), Cardano (ADA), and meme-token Dogecoin (DOGE) also remain among the top ten, although their recent growth has been more subdued.
Institutional Adoption and Regulation
The integration of cryptocurrencies into the global financial sector continues deepening, evidenced by events such as:
- New products from banks: Morgan Stanley became the first major bank to submit applications for Bitcoin and Solana-linked ETFs to the SEC. This move enhances the legitimacy of the crypto industry and may encourage 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 USA, regulatory policy has become more accommodating; for instance, in December, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) permitted banks to mediate in crypto transactions, bringing traditional finance closer to digital assets. In the European Union, the comprehensive MiCA regulation is coming into force, introducing unified rules for the crypto market and thereby enhancing institutional investor trust.
- Expansion of payment infrastructure: Visa reported that spending on its crypto cards soared by 525% in 2025. The company is expanding support for stablecoins (across different blockchains), showcasing the integration of cryptocurrencies into the global payment system.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies: Market Overview
At the beginning of 2026, the largest digital assets by market capitalization include the following:
- Bitcoin (BTC): The largest cryptocurrency (~$1.8 trillion). BTC is holding around $92,000, attributed to the return of institutional interest (ETF and others) following the downturn at the end of 2025.
- Ethereum (ETH): The second-largest asset (~$380 billion). ETH is trading around $3,200 (+10% since the beginning of the year); recent network updates enhance its scalability and strengthen investor trust.
- Tether (USDT): The leading stablecoin ($1, market cap ~$187 billion), providing high market liquidity and widely utilized for transactions in the crypto economy.
- XRP (XRP): One of the top 5 crypto assets (~$130 billion). XRP (~$2.2) soared by ~25% at the start of the year, driven by institutional inflows and Ripple's successes in promoting the token.
- Binance Coin (BNB): Token of the Binance ecosystem (~$124 billion). BNB (~$900) is close to its all-time high, reflecting high demand for Binance's services and the utility of the coin within the platform.
- Solana (SOL): A platform for decentralized applications (~$76 billion). SOL (~$135) continues to recover due to high network speed and interest from major investors (ETF launch expected).
- USD Coin (USDC): A stablecoin ($1, ~$75 billion), issued by the Centre consortium. USDC attracts users with the transparency of its reserves and recognition from regulators.
- Tron (TRX): Token of the Tron network (~$28 billion). TRX (~$0.29) is in demand in Asia due to the active use of the network for cross-border transfers and stablecoin operations.
- Dogecoin (DOGE): A meme cryptocurrency (~$25 billion). DOGE (~$0.15) remains among the top leaders due to community support and intermittent spikes in interest on social media.
- Cardano (ADA): Smart contract platform (~$14 billion). ADA (~$0.40) is steadily developing, allowing the project to remain among leading crypto assets, although its price growth has been more restrained.
Macroeconomic Background
External conditions at the beginning of 2026 have a mixed impact on the cryptocurrency market. On one hand, the US Federal Reserve lowered its key interest rate for the first time in a long time in December 2025, triggering a rally in stock markets. Easing monetary policy traditionally increases the appeal of riskier assets, including cryptocurrencies.
However, there are also restraining factors. By the end of 2025, gold reached record highs of $4,300 per ounce amid geopolitical risks, signaling a capital outflow to “safe havens.” Additionally, interest rates remain high, limiting the influx of funds into digital assets. As such, some investors have begun increasing their cryptocurrency allocations in anticipation of further easing conditions, while others still prefer safe-haven assets.
Market Outlook
The start of 2026 instills cautious optimism among market participants. Many experts believe that the market may have already reached a “bottom” by the end of 2025, indicating a likely recovery period ahead. Continuous institutional inflows, technological advancements, and the easing of monetary policy support a scenario for further growth.
If positive trends persist, Bitcoin and leading altcoins are likely to eventually return to their historical peaks (and possibly exceed them). However, rapid growth does not exclude risks: deteriorating macroeconomic conditions (for example, a new wave of capital flight to gold) or harsh regulatory measures could cool the market. In such circumstances, investors should maintain a balanced approach and remain vigilant for external signals.
Overall, the industry enters 2026 with a more developed infrastructure and support from major players. In the absence of shocks, cryptocurrencies have a chance for a successful year, although high volatility necessitates discipline and a long-term perspective in investing.
