Current Cryptocurrency News for Sunday, February 1, 2026: Bitcoin and Ethereum Trends, Altcoin Market Situation, Top 10 Cryptocurrency Overview, Institutional Trends, and Global Factors Influencing the Crypto Market.
As of the morning of February 1, 2026, the cryptocurrency market is demonstrating stabilization after heightened volatility at the end of January. Following a significant correction mid-week, Bitcoin's price has recovered to around $78,000. Major altcoins, led by Ethereum, are also regaining ground: Ether has bounced back above $2,800, while several other top assets have gained 5–10% from recent local lows. The total market capitalization of cryptocurrencies is approximately $3.0 trillion, with Bitcoin's share holding steady at nearly 59%. Investor sentiment remains moderately optimistic: despite macroeconomic risks, institutional players continue to increase their investments in cryptocurrencies, signaling confidence in this asset class.
Bitcoin Recovers After Correction
Bitcoin (BTC) is showing attempts at stabilization following a recent downturn: by the end of January, the price of the first cryptocurrency had dipped below $80,000, nearing a critical support level, before buy-signals emerged at lower levels. At the time of publication, BTC is trading in the range of approximately $78,600–79,000, confirming current market quotes below $80,000, reflecting pressure on the market from macroeconomic factors and investor sentiment. The current value remains significantly below January's local peaks of around $95,000 but is still well above levels from the start of last year, when BTC was traded much lower. The market capitalization of Bitcoin approaches $1.6–1.7 trillion while BTC's share in the cryptocurrency market remains dominant.
The main causes of the recent downturn are both technical and fundamental. Increasing macroeconomic uncertainty and expectations of tighter monetary policy in the U.S. and Europe have contributed to some capital exiting risky assets, including cryptocurrencies. However, around the price levels of $78,000–80,000, we observed robust demand from large holders and long-term investors perceiving the price decline as an opportunity to increase positions. Many analysts highlight that these levels act as a crucial support zone, confirming the market's responsiveness to purchases even amid external uncertainty, and indicating the potential for further consolidation or trend reversal.
Ethereum Maintains Positions
The second-largest cryptocurrency asset, Ethereum (ETH), is showing relative resilience. At the peak of the January rally, Ether rose above $3,100 but subsequently corrected following Bitcoin, briefly dropping to $2,700. Currently, Ethereum is trading around $2,800–2,900, demonstrating the ability to maintain key support levels. ETH's market capitalization is approximately $340 billion (about 12% of the market), and the network continues to attract high user activity due to its leading role in smart contracts, decentralized finance (DeFi), and NFTs.
Institutional interest in Ethereum remains high. In 2025, the first exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for Ether were launched in the U.S., facilitating investor access to this asset. Additional support for the ETH market is provided by fundamental factors: the total locked value (TVL) in Ethereum and staking volumes are close to record levels, reflecting participants' trust in the long-term development of the ecosystem. Some analysts consider Ethereum undervalued; for instance, Fundstrat co-founder Tom Lee recently stated that Ether is "dramatically undervalued" and has the potential for substantial growth in the coming years. Ethereum continues to firmly hold the second position in the market, while the anticipated launch of new scaling technologies and protocol improvements in 2026 is fueling investor interest.
Altcoins on the Rise
The broader altcoin market is showing positive dynamics at the beginning of February, following the recovery of leading cryptocurrencies. The prices of most cryptocurrencies within the top ten have increased by 3–6% over the past day, compensating for last week's decline. The total capitalization of altcoins (excluding BTC) exceeds $1.2 trillion once again. Investors are gradually shifting their focus to alternative digital assets, anticipating a potential "altseason" in the second half of the year. The Altcoin Season Index rose to 55 points in January – a maximum for the past few months – indirectly indicating the emergence of a new stage of accelerated growth for altcoins.
Major alternative coins are showing strong growth: for instance, Solana (SOL) is holding around $150, recovering from recent lows amid the expansion of its ecosystem and discussions about the launch of an ETF on Solana. Ripple (XRP) is trading near $2.50, remaining one of the leaders of the year thanks to last year's legal victory for Ripple against the SEC, which provided regulatory clarity for the token. Binance Coin (BNB) is consolidating around $600; despite ongoing regulatory pressure on Binance, the coin remains in demand due to its key role in the exchange ecosystem and Binance Smart Chain. Among notable growth leaders are payment and infrastructure tokens: for example, Polygon (MATIC) gained around 4% in a day due to positive news about network developments, while Litecoin (LTC) strengthened by 3%, continuing the upward trend of recent weeks. Overall, the altcoin sector is moving upward, although growth rates are currently more restrained compared to the "bullish" markets of previous years.
Institutional Investments at Record Levels
A key market trend remains the increase in institutional participation. In recent days, record volumes of cryptocurrency purchases by major players have been recorded. For instance, MicroStrategy, led by Michael Saylor, announced the purchase of approximately $2.13 billion in Bitcoin throughout January, making it one of the largest one-time investments in BTC. This "Bitcoin shopping" by a public company confirms the growing appetite of businesses for crypto assets. Furthermore, the Intercontinental Exchange (owner of the New York Stock Exchange) has announced the development of a new platform for trading and settling tokenized securities—a move that further blurs the line between traditional finance and the crypto industry.
In 2025, the first spot ETFs for Bitcoin were approved in the U.S., and by the beginning of 2026, several ETFs linked to BTC and ETH were already trading in the market. The capital inflow into these instruments continues to grow: according to industry analysts, the total assets under management in crypto-ETFs worldwide exceeded $60 billion. Asset managers, hedge funds, and even pension funds are increasing the proportion of cryptocurrencies in their portfolios, perceiving Bitcoin and Ether as "digital gold" and "digital oil" for diversification. The increased institutional interest provides the market with liquidity and reduces volatility, gradually bringing cryptocurrencies closer to the status of a widely recognized class of investment assets.
Regulation and Global Adoption
The regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies is becoming more defined worldwide. In the U.S., the passage of a comprehensive Crypto Market Structure Bill is expected soon, which aims to clarify the rules regarding the circulation of digital assets and enhance investor protection. In Europe, the MiCA regulatory framework is coming into force, establishing uniform standards for regulating cryptocurrencies and stablecoins across all EU countries. These steps on both sides of the Atlantic are forming a solid legal foundation for the industry and reducing uncertainty for institutional investors.
Many countries that previously took a tough stance are revising their approach to cryptocurrencies. For example, reports indicate that the authorities in Bolivia, which have long banned cryptocurrency transactions, are beginning to explore the possibilities of integrating blockchain technologies into the national financial system. In Africa and Asia, the expansion of digital assets continues: Kenya is considering implementing a state digital currency, while Pakistan is establishing partnerships with international crypto companies to develop local blockchain infrastructure. Even traditionally conservative financial centers like the UK and Canada are working on creating transparent licenses and requirements for the crypto business. Global acceptance of cryptocurrencies is gradually increasing: the number of digital wallet users worldwide has surpassed 500 million, with more companies willing to accept Bitcoin and USDT as payment. Strengthened regulation alongside growing adoption signals the maturation of the industry and represents a positive factor for the long term.
Market Sentiments and Volatility
The rapid price fluctuations of recent weeks have been accompanied by a surge in short-term volatility in the cryptocurrency market. The Fear and Greed Index, which reached the "greed" zone (above 70 out of 100) in early January, dropped to a value of 30 ("fear") by the end of the month. This indicates a noticeable cooling of sentiments after the correction, as some retail traders and speculators reduced their risk positions. Nevertheless, market activity indicators remain healthy: the daily trading volumes of Bitcoin and Ethereum have consistently held at high levels, while the proportion of long positions on derivative exchanges has begun to rise again, indicating a return of confidence among some participants.
Analysts note that the current correction is largely technical and temporary. Following the multi-month rally of 2025, the market is experiencing a phase of "digesting" profits and repositioning, which is a natural process. Volatility remains relatively lower than peak values of past years, partly due to the increased share of institutional liquidity. Macroeconomic uncertainty (central bank rates, inflation) continues to affect short-term price fluctuations, but many experts believe that if inflation slows down and signals for easing monetary policy emerge in the second half of 2026, demand for crypto assets could significantly strengthen. Overall, medium-term sentiments can be characterized as cautiously optimistic: market participants are closely monitoring external factors, but fundamental interest in cryptocurrencies remains high.
Forecasts and Expectations
Despite the recent turbulence, many analysts maintain an optimistic outlook on the prospects of the cryptocurrency market in 2026. Notable strategist Tom Lee from Fundstrat Global Advisors believes that Bitcoin has not yet reached the peak of the current cycle: in early January, he predicted that BTC would reach a new all-time high by the end of the month. Although this bold prediction did not materialize in January, Lee continues to adhere to a bullish scenario and expects "a very strong second half of 2026" for cryptocurrencies after a period of volatile consolidation in the first half of the year. Several banks have also raised their price targets: for example, analysts from Standard Chartered indicated that under favorable circumstances, Bitcoin could exceed $150,000 within the next 12–18 months. Other forecasts suggest Ethereum could reach new highs (with some experts citing a range of $7,000-10,000 over the next two years), considering the reduction in ETH issuance and expansion of its applications.
Of course, expert opinions vary regarding growth rates. The more conservative camp of analysts warns that increased regulation and a potential slowdown in the global economy could limit the growth of cryptocurrencies in the short term. However, even they acknowledge that fundamental drivers—such as increased blockchain adoption, the growing number of users, and the limited supply of Bitcoin—create a solid foundation for long-term growth in the value of digital assets. Ultimately, the consensus suggests that the market is entering a more mature phase where volatility may ease and growth will be more gradual compared to previous cycles. Investors are advised to exercise caution in the short term while maintaining a strategically optimistic outlook on the role of cryptocurrencies in the global economy.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
As of the morning of February 1, 2026, the following digital assets comprise the top ten cryptocurrencies by market capitalization:
- Bitcoin (BTC) – the first and largest cryptocurrency. BTC is trading around $78,000 following a recent period of volatility; its market capitalization is about $1.75 trillion (≈60% of the total market).
- Ethereum (ETH) – the leading altcoin and primary platform for smart contracts. ETH is holding at around $2,800, reflecting steady demand despite being below historical peaks; its market capitalization is around $340 billion (≈12% of the market).
- Tether (USDT) – the largest stablecoin, pegged to the U.S. dollar at a 1:1 ratio. USDT is widely used for trading and settlements in the cryptocurrency market, with a market capitalization of about $150 billion; the coin consistently maintains a price of $1.00.
- Ripple (XRP) – the token of the Ripple payment network for instant cross-border transactions. XRP is trading around $2.50, with a market capitalization of approximately $130 billion. The legal clarity regarding the status of XRP in the U.S. following Ripple's victory in court has helped solidify its standing among industry leaders.
- Binance Coin (BNB) – the coin of the largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance and the native token of the BNB Chain. BNB is priced around $600 (market cap of about $90 billion). Despite regulatory pressures surrounding Binance, the token remains in the top five due to its extensive use in the exchange ecosystem and DeFi services.
- Solana (SOL) – a high-performance blockchain platform for decentralized applications. SOL is trading around $150 per coin (market cap of ~$70 billion), recovering a significant portion of the declines from 2022. Interest in Solana is supported by the growth in the number of projects within its network and expectations of ETF approval for SOL.
- USD Coin (USDC) – the second-largest stablecoin backed by dollar reserves from Circle. USDC consistently holds a price of $1.00, with a market capitalization of around $60 billion. USDC is in demand from institutional investors and DeFi protocols due to the high transparency of its reserves.
- Cardano (ADA) – a blockchain platform focusing on a scientific approach to development. ADA is trading around $0.80 (market cap of ~$28 billion) following a recent price recovery. Cardano attracts attention due to plans to launch an ETF for this asset and community activity believing in the project's long-term growth.
- TRON (TRX) – a platform for smart contracts and decentralized applications, especially popular in Asia. TRX is holding around $0.33; its market value is approximately $30 billion. TRON remains in the top 10 due to its use in issuing stablecoins (a significant portion of USDT circulates on the Tron blockchain).
- Dogecoin (DOGE) – the most well-known meme cryptocurrency, originally created as a joke. DOGE is trading around $0.18 (market cap ~$27 billion), supported by a devoted community and periodic attention from celebrities. Despite high volatility, Dogecoin remains among the largest coins, demonstrating remarkable resilience in investor interest.
Cryptocurrency Market on the Morning of February 1, 2026
Major Cryptocurrency Prices:
- Bitcoin (BTC): $78,940
- Ethereum (ETH): $2,795
- Ripple (XRP): $2.48
- Binance Coin (BNB): $592
- Solana (SOL): $146
- Cardano (ADA): $0.81
Market Indicators:
- Total cryptocurrency market capitalization: $2.95 trillion
- Bitcoin's share: 59.2%
- Fear and Greed Index: 30 (fear)
Daily Change Leaders:
- Growth: Polygon (MATIC) — +4.3%
- Decline: Conflux (CFX) — -5.7%
Analysis: Bitcoin and Ethereum are demonstrating relative stability at current levels, while the sentiment index sits in the moderate fear zone, reflecting the caution of some investors after the recent dip. The local growth leader MATIC indicates interest in solutions for scaling Ethereum amidst positive technical updates for the project. At the same time, the decline in Conflux’s price can be attributed to profit-taking by traders or unfavorable news regarding the project. Overall, the market is in a phase of consolidation: many major coins are sustaining their positions, and investors are waiting for new drivers, assessing the balance of risks and growth potential on the horizon over the coming weeks.
