Crypto News & Insights for January 2026 - Bitcoin and Altcoins

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Bitwise CIO Sees Strong Upside for Ethereum and Solana

Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at crypto asset manager Bitwise, said Ethereum and Solana could stage a sustained rally this year. He linked this outlook to expected regulatory progress in the United States.

Hougan pointed to the proposed Clarity Act. The bill aims to clarify digital asset regulation and is awaiting review in the US Senate. He believes its approval could become a major catalyst for altcoins.

Why Regulation Could Change the Market

According to Hougan, the Clarity Act could unlock massive financial markets. He said the potential size reaches hundreds of trillions of dollars. Clear rules would bring long-term stability.

Hougan added that the law would signal serious US commitment to blockchain-based finance. In that scenario, Ethereum and Solana could reach new all-time highs.

Ethereum Regains Investor Trust

Hougan noted Ethereum’s strong performance in 2025. Earlier, ETH fell to around 1,500 dollars during the first months of the previous year. That decline damaged sentiment.

The trend later reversed. Ethereum recovered above the 3,000 dollar level. This move helped restore investor confidence. Many cautious investors returned after the breakout.

Solana’s Ecosystem Continues to Grow

Hougan also highlighted Solana’s progress. He described it as one of the fastest-growing ecosystems. Developer activity remains high.

The number of applications continues to rise. User engagement is expanding. Network stability has improved compared to past cycles. These factors support long-term demand for SOL.

A Divided View on Altcoins

Not all analysts share this optimism. Earlier, MN Consultancy founder and analyst Michaël van de Poppe warned about the altcoin market.

He said most altcoins may fail to deliver positive performance. Some could disappear from the market by year-end. This contrast highlights the growing gap between strong platforms and weaker projects.

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Tom Lee Predicts Bitcoin and Ethereum Prices for 2026

Tom Lee, co-founder of Fundstrat Global Advisors, shared his crypto outlook for 2026. He focused on Bitcoin and Ethereum. Lee spoke on CNBC’s Power Lunch.

He highlighted rising interest from Wall Street in asset tokenization. Large financial firms are actively testing blockchain systems. BlackRock and Robinhood are already piloting tokenized securities and on-chain settlement tools.

Lee said many institutions want to move assets onto blockchains. Their goal is faster settlement and simpler processes. Legacy financial infrastructure is slow and costly.

Why Ethereum Could Benefit Most

Lee believes Ethereum will be a key beneficiary. Most tokenized financial assets are expected to run on Ethereum’s blockchain. This should create steady and long-term demand for ETH.

He expects Ethereum to trade between 7,000 and 9,000 dollars in early 2026. Over a longer period, he sees ETH reaching 20,000 dollars. He views this growth as structural, not speculative.

Bullish Outlook for Bitcoin

Lee also remains optimistic about Bitcoin. He described it as a strong store of value. In his view, Bitcoin’s fundamentals remain intact.

He forecasts Bitcoin could reach 200,000 dollars in 2026. Lee said Bitcoin’s underperformance versus gold is temporary. He does not see this as a structural weakness.

BitMine’s Ethereum Strategy

Lee is chairman of BitMine Immersion Technologies. The company is the largest corporate holder of Ethereum. It currently owns 4,066,062 ETH.

BitMine plans to acquire 5 percent of all circulating ETH. So far, it has reached 3.37 percent. The firm increased purchases during recent price declines.

Earlier this month, Lee said Ethereum likely reached a market bottom. After that, BitMine accelerated buying. The company became more active following the Ethereum Fusaka upgrade.

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Van de Poppe Warns Most Altcoins May Disappear by Year-End

MN Consultancy founder and analyst Michaël van de Poppe said most altcoins are unlikely to post positive performance. He believes many will exit the market before the end of the year.

He reminded investors that past cycles were different. In earlier years, nearly every altcoin generated returns. Valuation was difficult due to novelty. That uncertainty supported broad speculation.

Selective Capital Replaces Broad Speculation

Van de Poppe said this phase is over. Institutional funds are now more selective. Capital flows into a small group of projects only.

He argued that many altcoins suffer from weak marketing. Ownership is also too fragmented. These projects no longer solve real market problems. Hype alone is no longer enough to drive prices higher.

Dot-Com Parallel

The analyst compared the current situation to the dot-com crash. During 2000–2001, many internet companies collapsed. Most never recovered.

This happened even as the internet itself kept growing. Van de Poppe sees a similar pattern in crypto. The technology advances, but many projects fail.

Institutions Raise the Bar

Institutional capital benefits the crypto sector overall. It brings liquidity and legitimacy. At the same time, it raises entry barriers.

Smaller projects struggle to compete at scale. Regulatory compliance adds further pressure. Many teams lack the resources to adapt.

Altcoin Market Shrinks

Earlier, 10x Research CEO Markus Thielen highlighted the same trend. He said capital shifted from altcoins to Bitcoin. This shift created an estimated 800 billion dollar gap in altcoin market capitalization.

Together, these views suggest consolidation will continue. Fewer projects will survive. Capital will favor size, clarity, and real-world relevance.

Domino

Few market participants expected privacy-focused cryptocurrencies to surge in 2025, yet that is exactly what happened. This once again proved that forecasting in crypto is never precise. Still, identifying assets with strong potential for 2026 remains a useful exercise.

Any forecast should be treated as a probability, not a certainty. Over a single year, the crypto market can be reshaped by regulation, macroeconomics, technology, or unexpected shocks. By the end of 2025, Bitcoin was trading about 6% below its January level, dragging many altcoins lower.

At the same time, Bitcoin had reached a new all-time high above $126,000 earlier in the year. This highlights an important point: profitable opportunities do not depend on calendar dates. Gains can be made during short-term rallies, deep corrections, or even market declines.

Looking ahead to 2026, several digital assets stand out based on fundamentals, adoption trends, and institutional interest.

Bitcoin remains the core asset of the crypto market. Price action in 2026 is likely to be volatile rather than smooth, but large investors continue to view BTC as a long-term store of value. Analysts at Grayscale expect another attempt at new highs, supported by growing demand for alternative savings and clearer regulation.

Stablecoins such as USDT and USDC may not rise in price, but they play a strategic role in uncertain conditions. Slowing US inflation, potential interest rate cuts, and leadership changes at the Federal Reserve could strengthen confidence in dollar-linked digital assets. Major institutions increasingly see stablecoins as a bridge between traditional finance and blockchain-based liquidity.

Solana enters 2026 with renewed momentum. The network remains fast and cost-efficient, while long-term stability has improved significantly. Upcoming protocol upgrades, delayed effects from spot ETFs, and rising activity from institutional players could support renewed growth.

Virtual Protocols represents the AI agent segment, which may expand rapidly after the AI boom of 2025. Productivity gains from autonomous agents are still underestimated, and easier access to AI tools could transform how businesses are launched. If adoption accelerates, leading AI-focused tokens may benefit sharply.

Chainlink is closely tied to the tokenization of real-world assets. Estimates suggest that the RWA market could grow from tens of billions to hundreds of billions of dollars within a year. Regulatory clarity in the US may allow banks and asset managers to tokenize equities and credit instruments, increasing demand for reliable oracle infrastructure.

In summary, the assets that appear most compelling for 2026 include:

* Bitcoin as the foundational store of value
* USDT and USDC as stability anchors in uncertain markets
* Solana as a scalable smart contract platform
* Virtual Protocols as exposure to AI-driven networks
* Chainlink as infrastructure for real-world asset tokenization

None of these assets come with guarantees. However, based on current data and market logic, they align most closely with the dominant trendsd trends shaping the crypto sector in 2026 🚀

Domino

On the first trading day of the year, US-based Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs recorded a combined net inflow of $645.8 million. This marked the strongest daily result in more than six weeks. Bitcoin-focused funds attracted $471.3 million, while Ethereum ETFs received $174.5 million.

According to Farside data, this was the largest single-day inflow for Bitcoin ETFs over the past 35 trading sessions. A comparable figure was last seen on November 11, when total inflows across 11 US funds reached $524 million. Ethereum ETFs also posted their strongest daily inflow in 15 trading days.

The previous peak for Ethereum-based funds occurred on December 9, when inflows totaled $177.7 million. These figures suggest renewed institutional interest at the start of the year. Market observers see this as a potential shift in sentiment rather than a short-term anomaly 📈

Wals, chief marketing officer of crypto analytics firm Tonso AI, noted on X that many corporate investors sold Bitcoin in Q4 2025 to realize tax losses. He believes these investors are now re-entering the market and rebuilding positions. According to him, the recent inflows may represent the early stage of a broader accumulation trend.

December, however, was challenging for crypto ETFs. Prices of underlying assets declined, with Bitcoin down 1.56% and Ethereum falling 1.39% over the past 30 days. This weakness followed the market pullback after Bitcoin reached a record high on October 5.

Market pressure intensified on October 10, when a sharp sell-off triggered liquidations totaling $19 billion. Investor caution remained elevated through the end of the year. During the final week of December alone, $782 million was withdrawn from spot Bitcoin ETFs, according to SoSoValue.

The largest single-day outflow occurred on Friday, December 26, when Bitcoin ETFs lost $276 million. Falling prices clearly influenced investor behavior. Risk appetite remained subdued despite occasional inflow spikes.

This caution is reflected in the Crypto Fear & Greed Index, which tracks overall market sentiment. Since early November, the index has consistently remained in the Fear or Extreme Fear zones. On Sunday, January 4, it dropped back to Extreme Fear with a reading of 25 out of 100.

Looking at the full picture of 2025, US investors allocated more than $31.77 billion into crypto ETFs. The majority of this capital flowed into Bitcoin-linked funds, which recorded net inflows of $21.4 billion.

Despite the strong annual result, total inflows were lower than in 2024. In the previous year, US crypto ETFs attracted $35.2 billion, highlighting a more cautious but still structurally growing institutional presence in the market.

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Market overview

The market keeps moving higher, but the pace remains cautious. Retail traders are slowly adding liquidity. Trading volumes and open interest continue to rise. Bitcoin is still pressing against the upper range resistance. Many analysts expect a breakout, but the upside potential is unclear.

Geopolitical risks continue to pressure global markets. This uncertainty limits aggressive positioning. More experienced traders already price future scenarios through options. Volatility expectations are gradually increasing.

Altcoins situation

Altcoins are benefiting from a seasonal rally. Small and mid-cap tokens show renewed activity. Large-cap assets try to follow the trend, but momentum is uneven. Low volumes make the market fragile. This creates room for manipulation and sudden profit-taking.

Ethereum outlook

Ethereum remains relatively stable compared to the rest of the market. Large holders have become active again. On-chain data suggests accumulation at recent lows. A local bottom appears to be in place. ETH may still gain a few more percent before sellers return.

Additional context

Funding rates stay mostly neutral, which signals balanced leverage. This reduces the risk of an immediate sharp correction. However, weak liquidity means any strong news can move prices fast. Traders should expect sudden swings rather than smooth trends.

Domino

The main driver of Ethereum’s growth this year will be digital banks, not short-term traders. This view was shared by Mike Silagadze, co-founder and CEO of Ether.fi. He believes Ethereum is shifting toward real-world utility for businesses and financial institutions.

According to Silagadze, the next phase for Ethereum will focus less on speculation. Growth will come from financial products that regular users can understand and use. Crypto-native digital banks are expected to lead this transition.

He noted that the crypto neobank sector is expanding rapidly. Many companies are entering this space and already see strong demand. These platforms aim to combine blockchain infrastructure with familiar banking services.

Silagadze argues that crypto-focused digital banks can accelerate mass adoption. This is especially relevant as stablecoins become embedded in global payment systems. In his view, neobanks can attract more users than spot crypto ETFs.

Ethereum’s performance will depend on how fast its ecosystem adapts. The key is offering accessible banking tools rather than purely speculative applications. A successful shift could redefine Ethereum’s role in finance.

Earlier, Bitwise investment chief Matt Hougan also expressed optimism. He suggested Ethereum and Solana could deliver sustained gains this year.

Domino

Bitcoin could reach a new all-time high later this year. This opinion was shared by Bill Miller, Chief Investment Officer at Miller Value Partners, in an interview with CNBC. He pointed to growing acceptance of Bitcoin by Wall Street as the main reason.

Miller said institutional adoption is still gaining momentum. Banks and large corporations continue to build blockchain-based products. Support from the US government also adds confidence to the market.

He noted that technical indicators are starting to align. Price action suggests Bitcoin is preparing for another upward move. Miller expects the asset to break the record set last autumn.

According to him, the current setup is stronger than earlier cycles. Bitcoin has formed a higher support base compared to spring 2025. This changes the overall market structure.

Last year’s decline was not a major concern, Miller explained. Historically, Bitcoin has never posted losses for two consecutive years. That pattern remains intact.

The period of uncertainty followed a two-month drop in demand. That phase now appears to be over. Large investors are returning and increasing exposure.

Miller added that institutional buyers are absorbing supply faster than miners can produce it. This imbalance is another bullish signal. Earlier, VanEck research head Matthew Sigel also said downside risks for Bitcoin remain limited in the current cycle.

Domino

China’s financial regulators have issued a joint warning about the risks of illegal activity linked to virtual currencies. The statement was signed by seven major industry associations that oversee the country’s financial system.

Among them are associations representing internet finance, banking, securities, asset management, futures markets, listed companies, and payment and clearing services. Together, they act as key regulatory bodies within China’s financial sector.

The document provides a clear definition of real-world assets, or RWA. According to the regulators, RWA refers to financing or trading activities that involve issuing tokens or similar rights and debt instruments backed by real assets.

The regulators stressed that such activity has not received official approval in China. As a result, all existing RWA projects lack legal status. In practice, this means RWA initiatives are effectively banned in the country.

Authorities described RWA as a high-risk business model. They warned that it should be strictly suppressed due to multiple threats. These include fraud, operational failures, and excessive speculative behavior.

The statement also highlighted legal consequences. Public token issuance tied to RWA may be treated as illegal fundraising. Trading without proper authorization could be classified as an unapproved securities offering.

In addition, the use of leverage or betting mechanisms in RWA trading may be considered illegal futures activity. Regulators made it clear that enforcement will remain strict.

Domino

The potential entry of US energy companies into Venezuela’s oil sector could lower electricity costs for Bitcoin miners. Analysts at Bitfinex believe cheaper power would improve mining profitability worldwide.

They argue that Venezuelan oil production could trigger a new phase of mining expansion. This is especially relevant for regions able to secure long-term electricity supply contracts. Even partial use of Venezuela’s oil reserves could affect global energy prices.

Lower energy costs would be a major relief for miners. Rising electricity prices have already reduced margins across the industry. Any structural decline in power costs would strengthen mining economics.

Oil prices have recently eased following the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This development may further reduce energy expenses for miners, since electricity prices often track oil markets.

Bitfinex analysts caution that large-scale oil expansion will take time. Meaningful production growth could take years. The pace will depend on US policy decisions and how sanctions are managed.

According to estimates, full-scale development of Venezuela’s oil sector may require up to ten years. Restoring the country’s status as a major oil producer would need more than $100 billion in infrastructure investment.

At the same time, Bitfinex notes a broader reality. Crypto prices are unlikely to be driven by energy fundamentals alone. Macro risk appetite, volatility, and asset positioning remain the dominant forces.

In the 1970s, Venezuela produced around 3.5 million barrels per day. That was roughly 7% of global output. Today, production has fallen to about 1 million barrels daily.

Chevron is currently the only major US oil company operating in Venezuela. US President Donald Trump has pushed for other American firms to enter the market.

Separately, Lookonchain reported unusual activity on Polymarket. Three crypto wallets earned $630,484 by betting on Maduro’s removal from power. The bets were placed just hours before his detention by US special forces.

Domino

XRP has kicked off the year with explosive momentum 🚀

Since January 1, XRP is up about 25% and now trades near $2.24. For comparison, Bitcoin gained around 6% to $91,755, while Ethereum added roughly 10% to $3,208. This performance has already made XRP one of the standout assets of the year.

The main driver is strong inflows into XRP-focused funds 💰
Since early January, these products attracted close to $100 million. Total assets under management now exceed $1.15 billion. Not a single day of net outflows has been recorded.

During the previous quarter, when markets were weak, investors actively bought XRP on dips. Many viewed it as a less crowded bet compared to Bitcoin or Ethereum.

Sentiment on social platforms has also turned clearly positive 😊
Both retail traders and so-called smart money show growing confidence. XRP balances on major exchanges dropped to a two-year low. This suggests holders prefer self-custody over selling.

On-chain activity is accelerating 🔥
Transaction volumes jumped by roughly 50% over the past two weeks. Network usage is picking up alongside price action.

Ripple is also expanding its presence in Japan. The company announced new partnerships with major banks. These deals aim to increase the use of Ripple’s payment technology across the region.

Domino

Rumors are swirling that Venezuela may be hiding as many as 600,000 bitcoins 🌍
After the detention of Nicolás Maduro, speculation around secret state reserves flared up again. Some journalists claim the country quietly converted gold and oil revenue into Bitcoin over several years. At today’s prices, that stash would be worth close to $60 billion.

The estimate did not appear out of nowhere 💰
Analysts looked at Venezuela’s gold sales since 2018. In just one year, about 73 tons of gold reportedly left the country. That equals billions of dollars. If those funds were used to buy Bitcoin at lower prices and held long-term, the gains would be massive.

According to the theory, the assets were hidden carefully 🕵️‍♂️
The alleged strategy involved intermediaries, mixers, and cold wallets. The goal was to bypass sanctions and avoid detection. On paper, it sounds plausible.

The problem is the blockchain shows nothing
Major blockchain analytics firms searched for evidence. They found no wallets or flows supporting this claim. Officially, Venezuela is linked to only around 240 BTC, and even that figure is disputed. Without hard proof, experts say this remains speculation.

Still, Venezuela has deep ties to crypto 🌴
The country was an early adopter. It launched its own token and pushed state companies to use digital payments, especially in oil trade. In 2025, Venezuela ranked among the top ten countries for crypto usage.

For many citizens, crypto is not an investment
Bitcoin and stablecoins are tools for survival. In an economy crushed by inflation, digital assets became a way to preserve value and move money across borders.

Domino

Bitcoin is struggling to break above the 95,000 level 🌟
Today, BTC attempted another push higher but faced strong resistance near 95,000 dollars. Yesterday, the price reached 94,800 before pulling back toward 91,000. Large sell orders remain stacked on exchanges at these levels, blocking any clean breakout.

Market action feels tense 🚧
This zone attracts constant selling pressure. Long positions get closed. Short positions open quickly. As a result, price keeps moving sideways in a tight range, creating choppy and emotional trading days.

Traditional markets look more confident 📉
US equities continue to rise, and gold has printed new highs. Bitcoin follows the broader risk mood but underperforms compared to gold. Capital still prefers established safe havens during uncertainty.

The weekly close is critical 🕯️
Analysts highlight 93,500 as the key level. This was the opening price of 2025. A weekly close above it could confirm a range breakout and signal the end of the downtrend that started in October.

Domino

Easy money in crypto is gone. The October crash changed the market for good.

Last October’s collapse hit hard. It was especially painful for traders using arbitrage and low-risk strategies. A major exchange released a report stating this clearly. The era of earning steady returns from funding rates and spreads is likely over.

In just a few days, the market lost around 20 billion dollars. Professional market makers suffered the most. Their neutral, hedged positions collapsed due to cascading liquidations. They were left holding assets in a falling market.

As a result, liquidity was pulled from many venues. Order books became thinner than they were in 2022. This made price moves sharper and less predictable.

Once-reliable strategies are now overcrowded. Funding rates dropped to about four percent. That level no longer beats even basic bond yields.

The market has also split in behavior. Some exchanges still match orders transparently. Others trade against users and even cancel profitable outcomes. Trust is no longer uniform across platforms.

Domino

Bitcoin is losing its January momentum. Bears are back in control.

The year started with optimism. Price almost reached 95,000 dollars. Many expected a clean breakout. Resistance proved stronger than expected. Bitcoin has now pulled back to around 90,784. Some traders call it a false move. Buyers look exhausted.

One analyst keeps a bearish target at 76,000. He sees the current range as a pause. In his view, it is a reset before another leg down. Higher timeframes remain bearish. Every bounce looks like a selling opportunity.

Other market watchers also stay cautious. Monthly moves usually show deeper drops than we see now. If January’s low is not broken soon, reversal risks may grow later. Some argue a sharp drop now would be healthier. It could shake out weak hands and form a real bottom.

For now, price stays stuck in a range. Sentiment is careful, not fearful. Fundamentals remain solid, but confidence is limited. January is still unfolding, and conditions can shift fast.

Domino

The key level right now is 100,000 dollars.

Three major lines meet in this zone. They reflect the behavior of large holders. The realized price of recent buyers sits near 99,000. The one-year moving average is slightly above 100,000. The 200-day average stands near 106,000. As long as price stays below all three, the trend remains bearish. Short-term rallies do not change that.

A similar setup appeared in late 2021. Bitcoin rallied into the same area. It failed to hold those levels as support. A long and deep downturn followed soon after.

Everything now depends on this zone. A clean break and strong hold above it could restart growth. Failure would keep pressure on the market. In that case, rallies stay temporary. January has just begun, but this level already dominates sentiment. The message is simple. Until 100,000 is reclaimed, caution is necessary.

Domino

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin publicly supported Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm. Storm was convicted in August 2025 for running an unlicensed money transmission service. Buterin said building privacy tools is not a crime.

He argued that privacy software exists to protect people from surveillance and data abuse. Such tools appeared as a response to uncontrolled data collection. According to Buterin, privacy is a basic human right.

Buterin said he personally used Tornado Cash for legal purposes. These included buying technical equipment and donating to human rights groups. He noted that mixers do not create permanent records like corporate or government databases.

He stressed that developers should not be criminally liable for how others use open tools. In his view, blaming creators instead of criminals sets a dangerous precedent. Buterin fears courts may redefine software development as a criminal act.

He also backed the defense claim that publishing open-source code is protected speech. The First Amendment limits government restrictions on speech and publication. Buterin believes this protection should apply to software code.

Buterin confirmed he donated to Storm’s legal defense fund. The Ethereum Foundation also made large contributions. By 2025, the fund raised over 6.3 million dollars.

He added that modern society faces constant privacy risks. Personal data can be used for social, financial, or even physical harm. People should control who accesses information about their lives, finances, and location.

Tornado Cash was sanctioned by the US Treasury in 2022. Authorities said it was used by North Korean hackers from the Lazarus Group. The service helped launder stolen crypto assets worth billions.

OFAC banned Americans from using Tornado Cash. These sanctions were lifted in March 2025. Despite this, Storm was charged in 2023 with money laundering conspiracy, sanctions violations, and illegal money transmission.

In August 2025, a New York jury found Storm guilty on some charges. He now faces a possible prison sentence of up to five years.

Domino

Cathie Wood on Possible US Bitcoin Purchases

Cathie Wood, the CEO of ARK Invest, said the US government could buy Bitcoin directly. This may happen ahead of the midterm elections in November.

She believes institutional adoption in 2025 is still not fully realized. This is true despite a better regulatory environment. Government action could become the key driver.

Impact on Bitcoin Supply

Wood explained that the US already holds seized Bitcoin. These coins come from law enforcement actions. She said direct market purchases would be very different.

If the government starts buying Bitcoin openly, scarcity would increase fast. This could have a strong effect on price dynamics. It would also send a clear signal to institutions.

Political Motivation

Wood sees political logic behind this idea. Donald Trump may want to strengthen his public image. He also seeks support from the crypto community.

A national Bitcoin reserve was part of his campaign narrative. Returning to this topic before elections looks realistic. Crypto-friendly signals often gain attention during political cycles.

Broader Context

Several countries are exploring digital asset reserves. Some already hold Bitcoin indirectly. Direct state purchases would mark a new stage of adoption.

Such a move could legitimize Bitcoin further. It may also accelerate interest from funds and corporations.