The start of the year has been bustling with activity, with Bitcoin and mainstream cryptocurrencies taking the market spotlight.
Bitcoin has been surging aggressively. Today, it reached a high of over 94K, currently stabilizing in the 93K-94K range with sideways movement. Senior analyst Tom Lee recently stated that it is highly likely to hit a new high before the end of January. The market logic for 2026 is quite clear: volatility is inevitable, but the overall upward trend is firm. Institutional funds continue to flow back in, coupled with an improving liquidity environment, shifting market sentiment from cautiousness to greed. Many traders are calling for targets of 95K or even 100K, and this optimism is spreading throughout the community.
XRP has been particularly impressive in recent days. In the short term, it has surpassed BNB to become the fourth-largest by market cap. Its price has been trading above $2, with a strong rebound momentum. The XRP story is being retold—expectations of compliance, ecosystem development, and increased institutional recognition—these factors together have attracted a large number of retail and institutional buyers. Phrases like "taking control of the situation" are repeatedly seen in the community, and ETF expectations have also been ignited.
Exchanges are also very active. A leading platform has launched its 60th HODLer airdrop project, introducing new trading pairs AVAX/USD1 and BCH/USD1, making the platform ecosystem more diverse. Users holding mainstream cryptocurrencies are paying close attention to these new opportunities.
The popularity of other coins is also high. PEPE has surged over 20,000 times since 2023, becoming a hot topic. Discussions around ICP, Venezuela Bitcoin reserves, and other topics are also trending, with geopolitical factors adding some heat to the market.
Looking back at the small correction at the end of last year, it is generally considered a shakeout. As we enter 2026, institutional players are officially stepping up, with a better regulatory environment and improved liquidity. Retail investors' mindset has also shifted—from worries about liquidation to anticipation of a big rally. The market atmosphere and capital-driven momentum are worth watching for the upcoming trend development.