Current Cryptocurrency News for Friday, January 9th, 2026: Bitcoin Holds Above $90,000, Altcoin Growth, Top 10 Cryptocurrency Overview, and Key Global Trends for Investors.
The global cryptocurrency market is confidently entering 2026. The total market capitalization of digital assets has surpassed $3 trillion, increasing by approximately 5% in the first week of January. Bitcoin (BTC) remains steadily above the $90,000 mark, while several major altcoins are leading in growth rates. For instance, Ethereum (ETH) has gained around 10% since the start of the year, and XRP has increased by more than 25%, indicating a return of investor interest in riskier assets.
The optimism in the market is bolstered by a combination of factors: expectations of a softer monetary policy, the emergence of new institutional products (such as spot ETFs for cryptocurrencies), and technological advancements. In light of clarifying regulations, several major financial firms are expanding their presence in the crypto industry, enhancing trust among investors worldwide.
Bitcoin: Dynamics and Trends
Bitcoin is showing moderately positive dynamics in the first week of January following a volatile end to last year. At the beginning of the week, the price of BTC rose above $93,000, and currently hovers around $92,000, approximately 6% higher than the start of the year. Despite a dip at the end of 2025, when Bitcoin retreated from its record high (~$126,000, reached in mid-last year), the current recovery indicates a return to bullish sentiment.
Experts suggest that to confirm a new upward trend, Bitcoin needs to overcome the psychologically significant level of $100,000. The nearest technical resistances are around $94-$95 thousand, while key support zones are estimated in the range of $88-$90 thousand. Institutional investor interest and signs of decreasing 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 price of ETH is still below its record high ($4,950, reached in August 2025), but sentiment around Ethereum remains positive due to progress in network development. On January 7, Ethereum developers successfully activated the "Fusaka" upgrade (BPO-2), increasing the blockchain's throughput by raising the data limit (so-called "blobs") in each block. The improvement in scalability and reduction in fees enhances Ethereum's appeal to developers and DeFi users, which may support the value of ETH in the long term.
Altcoins: XRP and Other Growth Leaders
Among the altcoins at the start of 2026, XRP, which is in the top five cryptocurrencies, stands out. Its price soared approximately 25% (to ~$2.2) within the first week of January. The main reasons for XRP's rally include:
- Capital Inflows into XRP Funds: At the end of 2025, in the context of a general downturn, there was a capital inflow into spot ETFs on XRP, while Bitcoin and Ether ETFs experienced outflows. This created a foundation for XRP's growth in January.
- Increased Attention: XRP has become the focus of heightened interest, gaining a reputation in the media as the "favorite" of early 2026, which has 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), and the supply of XRP on exchanges is decreasing. These changes strengthen confidence in the token.
As a result, XRP is exhibiting the best performance among major cryptocurrencies, although such a sharp rise could also lead to increased volatility. Besides XRP, other altcoins have continued to rise as well. Solana (SOL) has strengthened above $130 amid a revival of its ecosystem and interest from institutional investors (including expectations for an ETF launch on SOL). Binance Coin (BNB) reached a new high, approaching ~$900, indicating strong trust in the Binance platform. Tron (TRX), Cardano (ADA), and meme token Dogecoin (DOGE) also remain within 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 to deepen, driven by several key events:
- New Banking Products: Morgan Stanley has become the first major bank to file with the SEC for ETFs linked to Bitcoin and Solana. 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 move reflects the recognition of cryptocurrencies as an asset class in traditional banking.
- Regulatory Adaptation: In the USA, regulatory policies have become more accommodating: for instance, in December, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) allowed banks to facilitate crypto transactions, bridging traditional finance and digital assets. In the European Union, a comprehensive MiCA regulation comes into effect, establishing unified rules for the crypto market and enhancing institutional investor confidence.
- Expansion of Payment Infrastructure: Visa has reported that spending on its crypto cards increased by 525% over 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
At the beginning of 2026, the following digital assets are among the largest by market capitalization:
- Bitcoin (BTC): largest cryptocurrency (~$1.8 trillion). BTC is holding around $92,000, largely due to the return of institutional interest (ETFs and others) following the downturn at the end of 2025.
- Ethereum (ETH): second-largest asset (~$380 billion). ETH is trading around $3,200 (+10% since the start of the year); recent network upgrades improve scalability and strengthen investor confidence.
- Tether (USDT): leading stablecoin ($1, market cap ~$187 billion), providing high liquidity to the market and widely used for transactions in the crypto economy.
- XRP (XRP): one of the top 5 crypto assets (~$130 billion). XRP (~$2.2) surged ~25% at the beginning of the year, fueled by institutional inflows and Ripple's successes in promoting the token.
- Binance Coin (BNB): token of the Binance ecosystem (~$124 billion). BNB (~$900) is nearing its historical maximum, reflecting high demand for Binance’s services and the use of the coin within the platform.
- Solana (SOL): platform for decentralized applications (~$76 billion). SOL (~$135) continues its recovery thanks to high network speed and interest from major investors (ETF launch expected).
- USD Coin (USDC): stablecoin ($1, ~$75 billion) issued by the Centre consortium. USDC attracts users with transparency in reserves and recognition by regulators.
- Tron (TRX): token of the Tron network (~$28 billion). TRX (~$0.29) is popular in Asia due to the active use of the network for cross-border transfers and stablecoin transactions.
- Dogecoin (DOGE): meme cryptocurrency (~$25 billion). DOGE (~$0.15) remains among the top leaders thanks to community support and periodic spikes in social media interest.
- Cardano (ADA): smart contract platform (~$14 billion). ADA (~$0.40) is steadily developing, keeping the project among leading crypto assets, although price growth has been moderate.
Macroeconomic Background
External conditions at the beginning of 2026 are having a mixed impact on the crypto market. On one hand, the U.S. Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate in December 2025 for the first time in a long period, prompting rallies in stock markets. A softer monetary policy typically increases the attractiveness of risky assets, including cryptocurrencies.
However, there are still constraining factors. By the end of 2025, gold had risen to a record $4,300 per ounce amid geopolitical risks, indicating capital flight to "safe havens." Additionally, interest rates remain high, limiting the inflow of funds into digital assets. Thus, some investors have begun to increase their allocation to cryptocurrencies in anticipation of further easing of conditions, while others still prefer safe assets.
Market Prospects
The start of 2026 instills cautious optimism among market participants. Many experts believe that by the end of 2025, the market had already reached a "bottom," suggesting a probable recovery period ahead. Continuous institutional inflows, technological progress, and easing monetary policy support the scenario for further growth.
If positive trends persist, Bitcoin and leading altcoins may eventually return to their historical peaks (and then exceed them). However, rapid growth does not exclude risks: worsening macro conditions (such as a new wave of capital flight to gold) or strict regulatory measures could cool the market. In such conditions, investors should maintain a balanced approach and remain vigilant regarding external signals.
Overall, the industry enters 2026 with a more developed infrastructure and support from major players. In the absence of upheaval, cryptocurrencies have the potential for a successful year, yet high volatility necessitates discipline and a long-term perspective when investing.
