Latest Cryptocurrency News for Tuesday, January 13, 2026: Bitcoin, Altcoins, DeFi Market and NFTs, Institutional Investments, and Overview of the Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies Worldwide.
Market Overview
- The total market capitalization of the global cryptocurrency market is estimated at approximately $3.2 trillion and remains close to weekend levels. The daily trading volume has not changed significantly, reflecting a consolidation phase after the volatility of the first week of the year.
- Bitcoin (BTC) is maintaining a price around $92,000, slightly above the crucial psychological level of $90,000. Bitcoin's market capitalization is around $1.8 trillion, which supports its dominance at ~58% of the total cryptocurrency market capitalization.
- Ethereum (ETH) is ranging between $3,200 and $3,300, showing moderate growth following Bitcoin. The market capitalization of ETH exceeds $380 billion (approximately 12% of the market), confirming its status as the second most significant cryptocurrency.
- Major altcoins are generally exhibiting minor price changes within +1–3% over the last 24 hours. Top 10 coins such as Solana, XRP, Cardano, and others are trading close to the previous day’s levels, signaling continued market stabilization after a tumultuous start to the year.
Bitcoin: Consolidation After Growth
At the beginning of the new week, Bitcoin continues to consolidate around $90–92 thousand. After a volatile start to the year, the first cryptocurrency is striving to hold above $90,000. On January 5, BTC was trading close to $95,000 (approximately $94,800, a local high of recent months), but then a correction followed, and on January 8, the price briefly fell below $90,000. As of now, Bitcoin has recovered most of the decline, returning to around $92,000, which is approximately 3–4% higher than the beginning of the year levels. Current quotes are still about a quarter below the historical maximum (~$124,000, reached mid-2025), but investors are noting BTC's resilience at the attained heights.
Analysts point out that the $90–95 thousand range has become a new psychologically significant zone for Bitcoin. Sellers are actively taking profits when prices attempt to rise above these levels, while buyers are supporting the price during retreats below $90,000. Macroeconomic uncertainty (such as the upcoming release of inflation data in the U.S.) currently restrains sharp price movements, but fundamental factors for BTC remain positive. Many still view Bitcoin as "digital gold" and a hedge asset. Recent geopolitical tensions have only intensified interest in BTC as a "safe haven": amid international uncertainty, investors have sought refuge in Bitcoin. Additionally, rumors of significant BTC reserves held by some states (and the potential removal of some coins from circulation) add bullish expectations to the market.
Ethereum Maintains Its Position as Number Two
Ethereum (ETH), the second largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, is moving in line with overall market dynamics. As of January 13, ETH is trading around $3,250 per coin, having strengthened slightly in recent days. In the first half of January, ETH had already reached ~$3,300 — a peak since last fall. On a weekly basis, ETH has gained about 5–6%, confidently maintaining its status as the largest altcoin. Although the current price is significantly below the historical peak (~$5,000), Ethereum demonstrates stability and attracts investors with its technological potential.
Ethereum’s market capitalization currently stands at around $380 billion (approximately 12% of the total market capitalization), firmly securing its second position in the industry. Interest in the smart contract platform remains high. In 2025, the first spot ETFs on Ethereum were launched, providing institutional investors convenient access to ETH and leading to record inflows into related funds. Major players view Ethereum as the foundational infrastructure for a whole layer of industries — from decentralized finance (DeFi) to non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and other Web3 applications. Ongoing technical development of the network (planned protocol updates, layer-two scaling solutions) combined with institutional support suggests that Ethereum will maintain strong positions and potential price growth in the medium term.
Altcoins: Leaders in Growth and Correction
The altcoin market is showing mixed dynamics at the beginning of the week. The total capitalization of all alternative cryptocurrencies (excluding Bitcoin) is holding around ~$1.35 trillion. This is below the summer peaks of 2025 (~$1.7 trillion), but still reflects persistent investor interest in digital assets beyond BTC. Many leading altcoins, after a turbulent rally in the first half of 2025, underwent a significant correction in the fall and are now trying to find a new equilibrium at higher levels.
Among the largest altcoins, Ripple (XRP) stands out. The token of the Ripple payment network is confidently holding above $2.00 after an impressive jump of about 25% in early January. The main drivers of XRP's growth have been the legal clarity concerning the token's status (Ripple's victory over the SEC in court in 2025) and the launch of the first ETFs on XRP. The market capitalization of XRP is estimated at around $110 billion, which brings it back into the market's top three. Institutional interest in XRP has noticeably increased thanks to the emergence of opportunities to invest in the asset through regulated funds, reinforcing the long-term positive sentiment among market participants.
Another notable player is Binance Coin (BNB), the native token of the largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance. Despite regulatory challenges surrounding Binance last year, BNB is trading around $500 (capitalization of approximately $80 billion) and remains in the top 5 cryptocurrencies. The current price is below its historical maximum (~$750), but the token demonstrates resilience due to its broad range of applications. BNB is actively used to pay trading fees, participate in token sales, and operate decentralized applications on the BNB Chain (in DeFi protocols, games, and more). This utility value allows the token to remain in demand even amid regulatory pressures.
The platform tokens of smart contracts are also showing high activity. Solana (SOL) surpassed the $150 per coin mark at the beginning of January — the first time since 2022. The news of the launch of the first spot ETF on Solana in the U.S. at the end of 2025 provided momentum for this cryptocurrency's growth, stimulating investment inflow. Solana's market capitalization has now reached ~$60 billion. The revival of the project ecosystem based on Solana — from DeFi applications to NFT marketplaces — supports investor optimism regarding SOL's future prospects.
Cardano (ADA), another major platform, is attracting analysts' attention with plans to launch an ETF based on its token. At the end of last year, the investment firm Grayscale filed a petition in the U.S. to create an ETF linked to ADA, which triggered a surge of interest in this cryptocurrency. Cardano is currently trading around $0.70 (market capitalization of approximately $23 billion) after a pullback from recent local highs. The key psychological level of $1.00 has not yet been breached, but ADA remains one of the most promising platforms in terms of technological development. The project team adheres to a research-oriented approach, and the active community of supporters continues to believe in Cardano's long-term growth.
It is also worth noting the segment of so-called meme cryptocurrencies. In the first week of January, there was a spike in demand for high-risk "meme coins" among retail traders. For instance, Dogecoin and Shiba Inu increased in price by about 15–20% over the last 7 days, raising the total market capitalization of niche meme tokens above $45 billion. This phenomenon indicates a persistent appetite for risk in certain corners of the market, despite the overall cautious sentiment of investors. However, such rallies in low-liquidity assets tend to be short-lived. By the end of the past weekend, the growth of meme coins began to slow down. Experts warn that such volatile assets can just as quickly retract, urging participation with particular caution.
DeFi and NFT: Industry Segments Prosper
The decentralized finance (DeFi) sector continues to grow and integrate further with the traditional financial system. Major DeFi platforms are now comparable to centralized exchanges in terms of trading volumes: for instance, the Hyperliquid exchange is gaining notoriety, processing hundreds of billions in trading volumes and competing with giants like Binance in derivatives. Increasing numbers of institutional and professional traders are getting involved in DeFi, although regulators are paying increased attention to this segment. In the coming years, regulatory clarity on issues such as KYC procedures and the rights of token holders is expected to improve as DeFi becomes a more influential part of the financial market. Despite possible regulatory hurdles, the growth trajectory of decentralized finance remains upward — this sector has already “earned a seat at the table” of large capital and, judging by trends, will only gain further weight.
Meanwhile, the non-fungible token (NFT) market is experiencing a maturity phase after explosive growth and subsequent cooling. The boom of 2021–2022 has given way to a more restrained period: many large brands experimenting with NFTs have revised their strategies and reduced their activity in the realm of digital collectible tokens. Nevertheless, the NFT ecosystem continues to thrive and find new applications beyond art and collecting. Virtual items in the form of NFTs are actively used in blockchain games and metaverses, loyalty and membership programs are implemented based on NFTs, and cases of using tokens for digital identity and community management are emerging. Although the mass hype surrounding NFTs has subsided, active communities of collectors and enthusiasts remain, and a potential new upswing in the crypto market could rekindle interest in the most famous NFT collections. Overall, the NFT segment is moving from hype to more practical and utility-based applications, indicating its gradual maturation.
Institutional Investments and ETF Launches
- High Institutional Involvement: Major financial organizations continue to expand their presence in the cryptocurrency market. In 2025, U.S. regulators approved the first spot ETFs on Bitcoin and Ethereum, heralding a new era of investment from banks, hedge funds, and even pension funds. By the start of 2026, institutional investors collectively hold record amounts of crypto assets, viewing them as a promising asset class for portfolio diversification.
- New ETFs and Applications: In late 2025, exchange-traded funds were launched for some altcoins — primarily XRP and Solana — marking an important milestone for the industry. In early 2026, the range of crypto-ETFs continues to expand: the financial giant Morgan Stanley has filed an official application with the SEC to launch spot funds on Bitcoin and Solana. This marks the first instance of one of Wall Street's largest banks directly initiating the launch of a crypto fund, and this step is viewed as a signal of increasing trust in digital assets.
- Capital Inflows and Outflows: Following the launch of new ETFs on Bitcoin and Ethereum in the first days of January, the respective funds attracted billions of dollars. However, amid the recent price correction, short-term outflows were recorded: in just two days, on January 7–8, approximately $0.5 billion was pulled from American Bitcoin funds, and around $0.16 billion from Ethereum funds. Experts estimate that these outflows are associated with profit-taking following the late 2025 rally and do not indicate a loss of trust. Overall, capital inflows in recent weeks continue to outpace outflows, and major players are strategically not reducing their positions.
- Companies Accepting Cryptocurrencies: Beyond financial institutions, cryptocurrencies are increasingly penetrating the corporate sector. For example, in January, Bank of America officially recommended its clients include Bitcoin as up to 4% of their investment portfolios, effectively acknowledging its significance as an asset. Also notable is the step taken by retail giant Walmart, announcing the launch of cryptocurrency payments (BTC and ETH) through its OnePay Cash app. This move allows over 150 million Walmart customers to pay with digital currencies for goods and services, marking an important milestone in the path to mass adoption of crypto assets.
Regulation and Global Trends
- Relaxation of Positions in Major Economies: Globally, efforts to form unified rules for working with cryptocurrencies continue. In the U.S., following significant court precedents in 2025 (including the Ripple vs. SEC case), calls for clear legislation in the digital asset space have intensified. Lawmakers and regulators are developing new standards that will allow for legal investments in crypto assets without the anxiety of uncertain status. Discussions on a federal law regarding stablecoins and digital assets are expected in the U.S. Congress in 2026 — this could lay the foundation for further growth of the industry in the country.
- Europe Employs MiCA Regulations: The European Union is implementing a comprehensive regulatory framework known as MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets), aimed at unifying the approach to cryptocurrencies across all EU countries. The new rules enhance market transparency and establish unified requirements for crypto companies, while also providing institutional investors with increased confidence. It is expected that uniform regulations in Europe will attract new crypto startups and capital to the region, as regulatory clarity becomes a competitive advantage.
- Asian Markets Opening Up: In Asia, there is continued active movement toward the crypto industry. South Korean authorities have announced plans to allow spot Bitcoin ETF trading on national exchanges by 2026 while concurrently tightening requirements for stablecoins (with mandatory 100% collateralization of issued stablecoins with real assets). Financial centers in the region, such as Hong Kong and Singapore, are implementing licensing for crypto exchanges and services, aiming to become hubs for global crypto investments. These steps indicate a general trend: despite differing approaches, the largest economies in the world are increasingly integrating cryptocurrencies into their financial and legal systems.
Market Sentiments and Prospects
After rapid growth in the first half of 2025 and subsequent sharp declines in the fall, sentiments in the cryptocurrency market at the beginning of 2026 remain cautious. The "fear and greed" index for cryptocurrencies has been hovering in the fear zone since mid-December; as of January 8, it stood at about 28 points out of 100, reflecting prevailing concerns among investors. Prolonged low values of the index are often regarded as signs of a market oversold — earlier similar levels frequently preceded upward reversals, as the most nervous participants had already exited their positions. However, the continuing prevalence of "fear" indicates that confidence following the recent downturn has yet to fully recover.
Volatility in the cryptocurrency market remains elevated. Sharp price movements in the first days of January led to a wave of margin position liquidations. For instance, on January 8 alone, positions worth over $450 million were forcibly closed, with the majority of this amount attributed to long (buying) positions. The rapid decline in quotes forced around 120,000 traders to close trades at a loss. This episode serves as a reminder of the risks to players using high leverage: overly optimistic bets on a continued rise can lead to a "compression" of long positions and amplify the scale of the downside. Such cases have already occurred in the history of the crypto market (for example, in October 2025, one-day liquidations reached a record $19 billion), underscoring the necessity for caution.
Experts advise investors to remain composed and manage risks carefully. With no new fundamental growth drivers on the horizon (such as a notable macroeconomic improvement or breakthrough technological updates), any bursts of optimism can quickly be followed by profit-taking. The mixed sentiment in the market — from an overall cautious "fear" to local bursts of excitement around specific tokens — indicates a transitional phase. Many analysts believe that the current price consolidation may continue for several weeks.
Nevertheless, long-term investors remain optimistic: the fundamental factors driving the industry's development (the expanding adoption of blockchain technologies, institutional interest, and gradual improvements in regulation) are still in place. In the absence of new shocks, the market stands a chance of gradually regaining upward momentum in the second half of 2026. In any case, market participants are encouraged to closely monitor economic data and news — these will largely determine the trajectory of the cryptocurrency market in the near future.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin (BTC) — the first and largest cryptocurrency. BTC is trading around $92,000 after recent fluctuations, with a market capitalization of approximately $1.8 trillion (≈58% of the entire market). Bitcoin is perceived by investors as "digital gold" and a fundamental asset for many investment strategies in the crypto industry.
- Ethereum (ETH) — the leading altcoin and smart contract platform. ETH is holding steady at around $3,300, significantly below historical highs, but confidently maintaining its second position by market capitalization (~$390 billion, ≈12% of the market). Ethereum serves as the foundation for the DeFi and NFT ecosystems, continuing to attract developers and investors.
- Tether (USDT) — the largest stablecoin, pegged to the U.S. dollar at a 1:1 ratio. USDT is widely used by traders for transactions and capital storage between trades. Its market capitalization is around $170 billion; due to full reserve backing, the coin consistently holds the price of $1.00, acting as a sort of "safe haven" in a volatile market.
- Ripple (XRP) — the token of the Ripple payment network for cross-border settlements. XRP is currently trading around $2.00, with a market capitalization of approximately $110 billion. Legal clarity regarding XRP's status in the U.S. following the 2025 court decision and the launch of the ETF on this token have strengthened investor trust. XRP has managed to reclaim its place among market leaders, remaining attractive for fast payments and asset tokenization.
- Binance Coin (BNB) — the coin of the largest crypto exchange, Binance, and the native token of the BNB Chain. BNB is priced around $500 (capitalization ~ $80 billion). Despite regulatory challenges surrounding Binance, the token remains in the top 5 due to its broad utility: BNB is used for trading fee payments, participation in token sales, and the operation of decentralized applications within the Binance ecosystem.
- Solana (SOL) — a high-performance blockchain platform for decentralized applications (dApps). SOL is trading around $150 per coin (capitalization ~ $60 billion), recovering a significant portion of the decline from the fall of 2025. Interest in Solana is supported by the launch of the first ETF on this asset and the revitalization of projects based on it, returning the platform to its position as one of the technological leaders in the industry.
- USD Coin (USDC) — the second-largest stablecoin, backed by reserves in U.S. dollars (issued by Circle). USDC consistently maintains a $1.00 price due to regular audits of its reserves, with a market capitalization of around $60 billion. The coin is actively used both by institutional investors and in DeFi protocols, offering transparency and a high level of trust in the stablecoin segment.
- Cardano (ADA) — a blockchain platform with a research-oriented approach to development. ADA is currently priced at approximately $0.70 (capitalization ~ $23 billion) after a pullback from recent highs. Cardano is drawing attention with plans to launch an ETF based on its token and ongoing technical improvements in the network. The project community believes in Cardano's long-term growth, and its focus on scientifically grounded solutions sets this platform apart among competitors.
- TRON (TRX) — a platform for smart contracts and decentralized entertainment, particularly popular in Asia. TRX is trading around $0.25 (capitalization ~ $22 billion). TRON remains in the top ten partly due to the widespread use of its network for issuing stablecoins (a significant portion of USDT is traded on the Tron blockchain) and an active Asian user base.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) — the most well-known "meme cryptocurrency," originally created as a joke. DOGE is holding steady at around $0.14 (capitalization ~ $21 billion), supported by an active community and occasional celebrity attention. Despite high volatility, this coin continues to rank among the top ten, demonstrating an astounding resilience of investor interest in high-risk assets.
