Cryptocurrency News for Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Bitcoin at $100,000, Altcoin Surge, Institutional Investments, Regulation, and Overview of the Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies Worldwide
As of the morning of January 21, 2026, the global cryptocurrency market is strengthening following a volatile end to last year. Bitcoin is once again trading around the psychologically significant $100,000 mark, which has lifted the total market capitalization of digital assets above $3.5 trillion (significantly higher than a year ago). Ethereum remains steadily above $4,000, maintaining much of the gains accumulated over the past year. Following the leading coins, major altcoins are also experiencing price increases; investor optimism is bolstered by expectations of easing monetary policy from the U.S. Federal Reserve and further positive regulatory developments in the sector. As overall market volatility decreases, some traders are shifting their focus to altcoins, many of which are holding their positions and poised for further growth under favorable conditions.
Bitcoin: Approaching the Psychological Barrier of $100,000
After a rapid rally and subsequent correction in the fall, Bitcoin (BTC) is once again consolidating near a key level. In early October, BTC reached an all-time high of approximately $126,000, but then retreated to around $90,000 due to external factors (including intensified trade disputes between the U.S. and China). By the end of 2025, selling stabilized, and now the largest cryptocurrency is trading around $100,000, attempting to securely establish itself above this psychological barrier. The current price is approximately 10% above the December lows, indicating a resurgence in buying activity. Bitcoin’s market share remains around 55-60% of the entire crypto market, reinforcing its status as "digital gold" and a primary benchmark for the sector. Experts note that the correlation of BTC with stock indices remains elevated – a sign of traditional capital flowing into the crypto market. Many analysts expect that further easing of monetary policy and the expansion of crypto ETFs in the U.S. could provide Bitcoin with a new impetus to reach new highs in 2026.
Ethereum: Strong Growth Amid ETF Launch
Ethereum (ETH), the second largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, is showing steady growth after the late 2025 correction. In early October, ETH surged to approximately $4,800 (close to its record high), then retraced but confidently exceeded $4,000 again in January 2026. ETH is currently trading in the $4,300-$4,400 range, holding about 14% of the total market capitalization. The fundamental position of Ethereum remains solid: the network handles millions of transactions daily, remaining the backbone for thousands of decentralized finance (DeFi) applications and NFT platforms. Institutional investors continue to increase their presence in Ethereum: at the end of 2025, the first spot ETF on Ethereum was launched in the U.S., attracting significant capital to this asset. According to industry analysts, the influx of capital into ETH-based funds in the first weeks of January even outpaced similar figures in Bitcoin funds. The renewal of investor interest is also fueled by staking: as Ethereum transitioned to PoS, coin holders receive approximately 4-5% annual returns, enhancing the asset’s appeal. Strong demand from major players and the effect of the ETF launch allow Ethereum to confidently maintain its levels and approach historical highs.
Altcoins: Continuing Market Rally
The broad altcoin market supports the overall upward trend at the beginning of the year. The prices of most leading alternative cryptocurrencies in the top 10 have risen by 3-7% over the past day. The combined market capitalization of altcoins (excluding BTC) has again exceeded $1.5 trillion, reflecting the influx of new capital into the sector. Many leading altcoins are trading close to their multi-year highs. For example, Ripple (XRP) is maintaining levels around $2.50-$3.00, close to its peak values from 2017. Investors view the legal clarity of XRP's status in the U.S. following Ripple’s victory over the SEC last year positively, allowing the token to re-establish itself among market leaders by market capitalization. Binance Coin (BNB) is approaching its all-time high; the token of the largest crypto exchange Binance is currently valued at around $900, demonstrating growth amid the overall market revival. Despite ongoing regulatory scrutiny around Binance, the exchange’s ecosystem remains one of the most active in the industry, with BNB still widely used for transaction fees and in DeFi applications.
Platform tokens associated with emerging blockchain ecosystems are also showing good momentum. Solana (SOL) has risen in price to approximately $200 for the first time in years. The Solana project attracts attention due to its high-tech capabilities (high transaction speed and low fees) and news about possible approval of the first spot ETF on SOL in the U.S. An additional driver has been Solana’s integration into traditional business: for example, the payment network Visa has begun using its blockchain to process stablecoin transactions, which has increased confidence in the platform. Another player in the top 10, Cardano (ADA), has surpassed the psychologically significant level of $1.00 for the first time since 2022. Over the past month, ADA has risen by more than 20%, fueled by expectations of launching a Cardano-based ETF and recent network upgrades that improved smart contract scalability. The cryptocurrency Tron (TRX) has also firmly established itself among the top ten coins. The TRON network has become one of the major hubs for issuing stablecoins (a significant portion of USDT circulates on its blockchain due to minimal fees), and the growth of DeFi applications has further strengthened the platform's position. Investor confidence was bolstered by the announcement from Tron Foundation regarding a $1 billion buyback of TRX tokens for its reserves—a move demonstrating the team's belief in the long-term value of the asset. Notably, Chainlink (LINK) has also made waves: last week, trading began in New York on the first ETF for the base tokens of Chainlink oracles, sparking a surge of interest in the coin. LINK's price rose significantly within a few days, showing that investors are willing to look beyond the largest crypto assets in search of promising projects.
Institutional Investments at Record Highs
One of the key trends in the current market remains the growing involvement of institutional investors. In 2025, the first crypto ETFs for Bitcoin and Ethereum were launched in the U.S., significantly easing access for major players to digital assets. At the beginning of 2026, capital inflow into these products is reaching record levels. Analysts estimate that in the first half of January alone, total investments in cryptocurrency funds exceeded $1.3 billion, reflecting an increased risk appetite among financial institutions. Asset managers and hedge funds are continuing to increase their share of cryptocurrencies in portfolios, viewing BTC and ETH as strategic assets for diversification. Notably, interest goes beyond the two largest coins: the expansion of the ETF lineup to assets like Solana and Chainlink signals institutional readiness to invest in promising altcoins. Moreover, public companies are also enhancing their presence in the crypto market—for instance, MicroStrategy, helmed by Michael Saylor, increased its reserves to a record ~210,000 BTC last year, serving as a barometer of long-term confidence within the corporate sector. The activity of institutional players provides additional liquidity to the market and helps reduce volatility, gradually turning cryptocurrencies into a full-fledged asset class.
Regulation: Global Shifts and Unified Rules
In the past year, a clearer and more favorable regulatory environment for the crypto industry has developed worldwide, and this progress continues into 2026. In the U.S., the first comprehensive law on digital assets has come into effect, laying the groundwork for federal market regulation. The document imposes strict requirements for the backing of stablecoins (issuers of USD-pegged coins must hold 100% dollar reserves and undergo regular audits), introduces the concept of cryptocurrency exchanges into the legal framework, and outlines investor protection rules. At the same time, U.S. financial regulators are softening their approach towards the industry: the SEC and CFTC have launched "regulatory sandboxes" for blockchain startups, and the trading of spot cryptocurrencies has been given the green light on licensed exchanges. Collectively, the American regulatory posture has become significantly more favorable towards digital assets, stimulating the industry's growth in one of the world's largest markets.
The European Union, for its part, has begun a phased implementation of the MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulatory framework. The new regulation unifies the handling of crypto assets across all EU countries, introducing mandatory registration for crypto companies, disclosure requirements, consumer protection, and anti-money laundering measures. The first licenses under MiCA standards have already been issued, making the European crypto market more transparent and mature. A unified regulatory framework allows legal provision of crypto services across the EU and attracts major fintech players and banks into the sector. Asia is not lagging behind: in Hong Kong, licensing for stablecoin issuers has been implemented since January with the requirement of full backing, further strengthening the city’s position as a crypto hub. Other regional centers—Singapore, UAE—are also easing regulations, competing to attract blockchain businesses. Meanwhile, major global corporations continue to integrate cryptocurrencies into the traditional financial system. Payment giants Visa and Mastercard are expanding their support for digital currency transactions in their networks, and platforms like PayPal already enable tens of millions of merchants to accept cryptocurrency payments. These steps strengthen the connection between traditional finance and the crypto world, confirming that digital currencies have firmly entered the global financial mainstream.
Market Outlook: Expectations and Risks
As we approach the second half of the decade, investors are cautiously optimistic about the prospects of the crypto market. On the one hand, the factors that spurred growth last year—easing monetary policy, inflow of institutional funds, technological innovations—continue to be at play. If the macroeconomic situation remains favorable, many anticipate that in 2026 Bitcoin and major altcoins could approach or even break historical highs. On the other hand, events from late 2025 reminded us of the existing risks. Possible deterioration of economic conditions (for instance, due to global slowdowns or geopolitical instability) could temporarily cool investors’ appetite for risk. A new wave of speculative excitement outside the crypto market (e.g., surrounding high-tech company stocks) might also divert some capital. Nevertheless, the industry enters 2026 more mature: the participation of large corporations, regulatory progress, and successful DeFi implementations instill confidence that even in the face of short-term upheavals, the crypto market can relatively quickly recover and attract even more investments. Overall, the balance of expectations remains positive, though experts advise investors to maintain moderate caution amidst the still high volatility of this asset class.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin (BTC) — the first and largest cryptocurrency. BTC is currently trading around $100,000 after recovering from December lows; market capitalization exceeds $2.0 trillion (≈57% of the entire market).
- Ethereum (ETH) — leading altcoin and platform for smart contracts. The price of ETH is approximately $4,200, significantly above the levels at the end of 2025; capitalization around $500 billion (≈14% of the market). Ethereum maintains its second place in capitalization, strengthening positions due to widespread use in DeFi and systematic network development.
- Tether (USDT) — the largest stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar (1:1). USDT is widely used for trading and settlements in the crypto market, with a capitalization around $170 billion; the coin consistently holds its value near $1.00, providing high liquidity for entering and exiting volatile positions.
- Ripple (XRP) — the token of the Ripple payment network for cross-border settlements. XRP trades around $2.70, with a market capitalization of approximately $140 billion. Legal clarity regarding XRP's status in the U.S. following the SEC case restored trust in the token, re-establishing it among market leaders.
- Binance Coin (BNB) — the token of the largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance and the native token of the BNB Chain network. The price of BNB is now approximately $900, nearing its all-time high; capitalization is around $130 billion. Despite regulatory pressure on Binance, the token remains in the top 5 due to its wide usage in the exchange ecosystem and DeFi services.
- Solana (SOL) — a high-performance blockchain platform for decentralized applications. SOL is trading around $200 per coin (capitalization ~$85 billion), recovering to levels not seen since 2022. Interest in Solana is supported by expectations of launching an ETF for this asset and the growth of the ecosystem of projects built on it (including Solana’s integration into global payment systems).
- USD Coin (USDC) — the second largest stablecoin backed by reserves in U.S. dollars (issuer — Circle). The price of USDC is maintained at $1.00, with a capitalization of around $65 billion. USDC is widely used by institutional investors and in DeFi protocols due to its transparency of reserves and heightened trust from regulators.
- Cardano (ADA) — a blockchain platform with a scientific approach to development. ADA trades at approximately $1.15 (capitalization ~$40 billion) after a recent price surge. Cardano attracts attention with plans to launch its own ETF and an active community believing in the long-term growth of the project, despite ongoing volatility.
- TRON (TRX) — a platform for smart contracts and multimedia dApps, particularly popular in Asia. TRX is holding at around $0.35, with a market value of approximately $32 billion. TRON has entered the top 10 largest coins for the first time thanks to the success of its stablecoin ecosystem (the TRON blockchain is used for issuing and fast transfers of USDT) and the growth in the number of DeFi applications. An announcement regarding a significant buyback of TRX for replenishing the project fund’s reserves has also bolstered investor confidence.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) — the most well-known meme cryptocurrency, initially created as a joke. DOGE is around $0.22 (capitalization ~$33 billion) and is supported by a dedicated community, as well as periodic attention from celebrities. Although Dogecoin has no supply limit and maintains high volatility, it remains among the top ten largest coins, demonstrating remarkable resilience in investor interest.
