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Key Takeaways: Market Snapshot
- Price Action: Bitcoin (BTC) surged past the psychological $90,000 barrier early this morning, signaling a strong start to the year.
- Ranking Shift: In a major liquidity move, XRP overtook BNB to become the 3rd largest asset by market cap.
- Sentiment: Global crypto market valuation crossed $3.07 Trillion, driven by renewed institutional inflows and retail optimism.
January 2026: A Historic Start for Digital Assets
The crypto sector has defied late-2025 bearishness, opening the new year with aggressive buying pressure that pushed valuations higher across the board. The headline story is undeniable: Bitcoin reclaims $90K, stabilizing around $90,250 after weeks of volatility. This breakout suggests that the “risk-off” sentiment plaguing December has fully dissipated.
For new investors, understanding the broader implication of Market Capitalization is vital to grasping the magnitude of today’s moves. This isn’t just about one coin; the entire asset class is seeing a capital injection.
Bitcoin Reclaims $90K Amidst Renewed Volume
The primary driver for today’s green candle is a sharp increase in spot trading volume. Bitcoin price analysis today shows that bulls successfully defended the $88,000 support level, using it as a springboard to attack higher resistance zones.
Unlike previous pumps driven by derivatives, this move appears grounded in spot purchasing. Data indicates that long-term holders stopped selling as the calendar flipped to 2026, creating a supply shock. If BTC can close the weekly candle above $92,000, technical analysts predict a rapid test of all-time highs.
Ranking Shakeup: XRP Flips BNB
While Bitcoin grabs headlines, a significant restructuring occurred in the top cryptocurrencies by market cap. For the first time in months, XRP flips BNB, securing the number three spot excluding stablecoins.
This shift highlights a changing narrative in the Ripple vs Binance Coin dynamic. Investors seem to be rotating capital into legacy assets with regulatory clarity, anticipating favorable outcomes in the coming year. This rotation is often an early signal that market participants are diversifying beyond BTC, looking for undervalued blue-chip assets.
Is a Crypto Bull Run 2026 Confirmed?
The sheer velocity of these gains has led many to ask if we are witnessing the start of a crypto bull run 2026. The indicators are flashing green. Global liquidity is expanding, and the “January Effect”—where assets rise at the beginning of the year due to tax loss harvesting ending—is in full force.
Furthermore, speculation regarding an Altcoin season 2026 is heating up. Typically, profits cycle from Bitcoin to large caps like Ethereum and XRP, and finally to smaller tokens. With meme coins like PEPE and DOGE already outperforming BTC in percentage gains this week, the risk appetite of retail traders has clearly returned.
Strategic Outlook: Why This Rally Matters
This price action is more than just a “New Year pump.” It represents a decoupling from traditional equities, which remained flat this week. The market is pricing in a year of regulatory integration rather than confrontation.
According to recent outflow data from Reuters, institutional desks paused selling pressure in the final days of December, setting the stage for this accumulation phase. Smart money is positioning for Q1 growth, focusing on assets with clear utility and established user bases.
Also Read: Turkmenistan Crypto Mining Now Legal, Yet Crypto Payments Remain Outlawed
FAQs
Why is the Bitcoin price rising today?
Bitcoin is rising due to a combination of “New Year” capital inflows, the end of tax-loss selling, and strong spot buying that helped Bitcoin reclaims $90K support levels.
Has XRP officially passed BNB in rank?
Yes, XRP flips BNB in market capitalization today, making it the third-largest cryptocurrency (excluding Tether/USDT) due to a surge in volume and whale accumulation.
Is Altcoin Season starting in 2026?
Early signs suggest an Altcoin season 2026 may be forming. Assets like XRP, DOGE, and PEPE are currently outperforming Bitcoin in percentage gains, indicating high risk tolerance.


