Global Cryptocurrency News, Sunday, January 11, 2026: Bitcoin Consolidates Around $90K After a Volatile Week, Moderate Growth in Ethereum and Major Altcoins Amid Macroeconomic Uncertainty; Institutional Interest Persists; Top 10 Popular Cryptocurrencies
As of the morning of January 11, 2026, the cryptocurrency market has generally stabilized following significant fluctuations in the previous days. Bitcoin's price hovers around $91,000, while the total cryptocurrency market capitalization stands at approximately $3.1 trillion after a short-term dip in the middle of the week. Following Bitcoin, the largest altcoins, led by Ethereum, are demonstrating a more confident performance, with many of the top 10 digital assets showing moderate growth. Investors, including institutional players, remain active in the crypto market, although they are acting more cautiously amid mixed macroeconomic signals and adjusted prices. Long-term factors, such as increased regulation and the integration of crypto instruments in traditional financial markets, continue to support interest in the sector.
Bitcoin Consolidates Around $90K
After a volatile start to the year, Bitcoin (BTC) is consolidating around the psychologically important level of $90–91K. In the first days of January, the first cryptocurrency attempted to rally: on January 5, the price climbed to approximately $94.8K (a local high in recent months) but subsequently faced a correction. On the morning of January 8, the price of BTC briefly dipped below $90,000, erasing the gains from the week’s start, but as of now, Bitcoin has recovered from the dip and returned to around $91,000. Current levels are roughly 25% below the all-time high (around $124,000, reached in August 2025). Nonetheless, since the beginning of 2026, BTC has still shown a growth of about 3%. The market capitalization of Bitcoin is estimated at approximately $1.8 trillion, accounting for roughly 58% of the total cryptocurrency market capitalization.
Analysts note that Bitcoin's dynamics are influenced by a contradictory news backdrop. On one hand, there are expectations for a loosening of monetary policy: weak economic data in the U.S. (for instance, the December ADP report, which showed an increase of only about 41,000 new jobs instead of the anticipated 50,000) has intensified forecasts that the Federal Reserve may start cutting interest rates in the second half of 2026. Loose monetary policy typically benefits risk assets like cryptocurrencies, supporting bullish sentiments. On the other hand, geo-economic uncertainty restrains growth: investors are cautious as they await decisions on trade disputes and other political factors. In particular, the market is closely monitoring the U.S. Supreme Court's proceedings regarding the legality of tariffs imposed by Donald Trump, the outcome of which could influence risk appetite. In this context, Bitcoin is demonstrating relative resilience—even on the 17th anniversary of its inception (the genesis block of BTC was mined on January 3, 2009), the first cryptocurrency maintains its status as "digital gold" and a key asset in the sector.
Ethereum Maintains Second Place
The price of Ethereum (ETH) follows Bitcoin's dynamics, trading at approximately $3,200 as of January 11. In the early days of the new year, Ethereum rose to around $3,300, reaching highs not seen since fall, and on a weekly timeframe at the start of January, ETH increased by about 6%. Despite the pullback from its historical peak ($4,900 in November 2021), Ethereum confidently retains its status as the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. The current capitalization of ETH is around $380 billion, equivalent to about 12% of the total cryptocurrency market value.
Interest in the smart contract platform remains high. Institutional investors gained a new investment avenue in Ethereum in 2025, with the introduction of the first spot ETFs for Ethereum in the U.S., leading to record capital inflows into ETH-related investment products. This reflects the confidence of major players in the long-term prospects of Ethereum as the foundational infrastructure for decentralized applications (DeFi, NFTs, etc.). The ecosystem's technical development is ongoing: network upgrades and solutions for scaling (layer-two solutions) are strengthening Ethereum’s market position. Experts point out that thanks to a combination of technological leadership and support from institutional investors, Ethereum retains the potential for further price growth in the medium term.
Altcoins: Mixed Market Dynamics
The broader altcoin market, after a frenzied growth in 2025, is demonstrating mixed movement at the beginning of 2026. Prices of most major cryptocurrencies have changed little over the past day (within a few percent), reflecting a consolidation phase. The total capitalization of altcoins (excluding Bitcoin) hovers around $1.3 trillion, significantly lower than the peak of $1.7 trillion recorded last summer, yet indicative of continued investor interest in alternative digital assets. Some major altcoins continue to trade near their multi-year highs. For instance, Ripple (XRP)—the token for cross-border payments—has managed to maintain high levels due to legal clarity regarding its status (following Ripple's victory over the SEC in 2025) and the introduction of ETFs based on it. Currently, XRP trades above $2 (for comparison, the 2025 peak was around $3), with a market capitalization of approximately $100 billion, re-establishing its place in the top tier. Another example is Binance Coin (BNB): despite regulatory pressures surrounding Binance, the exchange's native token is valued around $500 (with a capitalization of about $80 billion) and remains in the top five. Although the current price of BNB is below its historical record (around $750), the token demonstrates resilience due to its wide range of uses within the exchange ecosystem and on the BNB Chain blockchain.
Platform tokens are also showing strong results. Solana (SOL) has again risen above $150 per coin early in January, marking the first time since 2022. The support for SOL came from the news regarding the launch of the first spot ETF based on this network in the U.S. at the end of 2025—this influx of new investments has stimulated growth, and Solana's capitalization is now approaching ~$60-70 billion. Another top-10 altcoin, Cardano (ADA), is attracting analysts' attention: the investment firm Grayscale filed an application for launching an ADA-related ETF at the end of last year, which has ignited interest in this platform. As a result, ADA has demonstrated double-digit percentage price growth at certain times (though it has yet to cross the psychologically important $1 mark), confirming its status as one of the most promising projects. The meme cryptocurrency segment is also noteworthy: in the first week of January, there was a spike in demand for high-risk "meme coins." For example, Dogecoin (DOGE) increased by more than 20% over the seven days, while Shiba Inu (SHIB) rose by nearly 19%. The total market capitalization of meme tokens surpassed $45 billion, indicating active participation from retail traders and a resurgence of risk appetite in certain market niches.
Institutional Investors and Crypto ETFs
One of the key trends in recent months has been the high involvement of institutional investors in cryptocurrencies. In 2025, the first Bitcoin and Ethereum-based ETFs were approved in the U.S., granting broad access to digital assets for a wide range of major players through traditional stock exchanges. By the end of the year, regulators also allowed ETF listings for certain altcoins, including XRP and Solana. The emergence of these instruments marked an important milestone, showcasing the expanding interest from the financial industry in various crypto assets.
Following the launch of new funds, the first weeks of their operation saw record capital inflows. However, by the beginning of 2026, the dynamics shifted somewhat: recent data shows that spot crypto ETFs faced a short-term capital outflow amid price corrections. For instance, during trading on January 7-8, the cumulative outflow from U.S. Bitcoin funds totaled approximately $0.5 billion, while Ethereum-based funds lost around $0.16 billion— marking the first series of several consecutive sessions with net capital withdrawals since their inception. Experts view this trend as profit-taking following the late 2025 rally, rather than a decline in confidence: institutional investors still hold record volumes of crypto assets historically. Large management firms (BlackRock, Fidelity, among others), hedge funds, and even pension programs have included Bitcoin and Ethereum in their portfolios, viewing them as promising asset classes for diversification. Factors supporting institutional interest in crypto include hedging inflation risks, growing adoption of blockchain technology, and customer demand. Currently, regulators are reviewing applications for ETFs on other cryptocurrencies (such as Cardano), indicating further expansion of institutional participation in the market in the future.
Market Sentiments and Volatility
The autumn correction of 2025 significantly cooled market participants' enthusiasm, and investor sentiments remain restrained. The Fear and Greed Index for cryptocurrencies has been in the "fear" zone since mid-December. As of January 8, its value stood at 28 out of 100 points, reflecting prevailing trader apprehension and a tendency towards cautious trading. Analysts note that an extended period of low index readings may indicate market overselling—previously, similar levels have often preceded local upward reversals, as the most nervous players have exited their positions. On the other hand, persistent fear signals that confidence has yet to return following recent price crashes. Such divergence is also manifested in the market structure: despite the overall "fear" index, there are pockets of speculative activity (such as the rise of meme tokens), indicating a contradictory sentiment among different groups of investors. Experts advise market participants to remain composed and manage risks: until new fundamental drivers emerge, sharp spikes in optimism may quickly give way to sell-offs.
Short-term volatility remains elevated. The sudden price movements in early January led to mass liquidations of margin positions on crypto exchanges. According to Coinglass, over 24 hours leading up to the morning of January 8, positions valued at more than $460 million were liquidated; of this amount, approximately $415 million was attributed to long positions betting on market growth. As a result of the swift price correction, over 127,000 traders had their positions forcibly closed. This "long squeeze" exacerbated Bitcoin price declines, underscoring the risks for players using high leverage. Over recent years, the crypto market has experienced similar spikes in volatility—such as on October 10, 2025, when an unexpected macroeconomic shock led to a record $19 billion in position liquidations in a single day. This incident highlighted that market participants should be prepared for sudden price surges and declines, especially when trading on margin.
Forecasts and Expectations
Market participants' views on the prospects for 2026 are divided. Some analysts believe that after the frenzied growth of the previous year, the market may continue to cool off. They point to historical cycles: in the past, a year of new all-time highs (like 2025) has often been followed by a period of decline. This scenario is supported by external risks—some experts warn that a possible burst of the "bubble" surrounding AI hype or other macroeconomic shocks could trigger further declines in cryptocurrency prices in the first half of 2026. Furthermore, a significant number of long-term holders of BTC and ETH remain in profit after the rally, and continued profit-taking could create pressure on the market. Analysts from CryptoQuant note that the exit of short-term speculators and "weak hands" during autumn sell-offs has largely cleared the path for more stable dynamics but do not rule out the probability of another correction phase.
Conversely, a more optimistic group of experts suggests that unprecedented institutional participation and the integration of cryptocurrencies into the global economy may soften traditional four-year cycles—it's expected that even if the bearish trend persists, it will be less prolonged and deep than previous "crypto winters." According to their forecasts, following the current consolidation phase, the market could return to growth in the second half of 2026, especially if external macroeconomic conditions become more favorable (slower inflation, rate cuts, etc.). Some scenarios predict a wave-like development: for example, notable declines could occur in June-July, followed by a new rally towards the end of the year. Certain months, according to strategists, may prove particularly successful for cryptocurrencies—specifically, April and the period from October to December 2026 are seen as potentially strong segments when the market could recover losses.
Overall, the consensus indicates that the fundamental drivers for industry growth have not disappeared. Cryptocurrencies continue to expand their areas of application, and blockchain technologies are being integrated into finance, supply chains, and other sectors, reducing costs and enhancing efficiency. This is a long-term positive for the market. Therefore, even in the event of further correction, many investors view it as an opportunity to accumulate assets at lower prices. With continued institutional interest and no new shocks, most analysts expect that the cryptocurrency market capitalization will gradually resume growth in the second half of the year, potentially resetting the 2025 highs within 12-18 months. Regarding long-term goals, major financial firms continue to provide bullish forecasts. Several Wall Street banks maintain price targets for Bitcoin significantly above current levels—up to $150,000–200,000 in the coming years—based on Bitcoin's limited supply and growing demand. Whether these forecasts will hold true will depend on time and the further trajectory of the global economy.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
As of January 11, 2026, the following digital assets make up the top ten most popular cryptocurrencies by market capitalization:
- Bitcoin (BTC) — the first and largest cryptocurrency. BTC is trading around $91,000 after recent volatility, with a market capitalization of approximately $1.8 trillion (≈58% of the total market).
- Ethereum (ETH) — the leading altcoin and smart contract platform. The price of ETH holds at around $3,200, significantly below historical highs, with a capitalization of around $380 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 payments, with a capitalization of around $170 billion; the coin consistently maintains a price of $1.00 due to reserve backing.
- Ripple (XRP) — the token for Ripple's payment network for cross-border transactions. 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. (post-2025 court ruling) and the launch of ETFs based on this token have reinforced investor confidence, allowing XRP to regain its status among market leaders.
- Binance Coin (BNB) — the coin of the largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance and the native token of the BNB Chain. The price of BNB is approximately $500 (market capitalization around $80 billion). Despite regulatory challenges surrounding Binance, the token remains in the top five due to its vast use cases within the exchange ecosystem and in the DeFi segment.
- 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 autumn 2025. Interest in Solana is fueled by the launch of the first ETF based on this asset and the growth of its ecosystem of projects.
- USD Coin (USDC) — the second-largest stablecoin, backed by reserves in U.S. dollars (issued by Circle). The price of USDC is maintained at $1.00, with a capitalization of around $60 billion. USDC is actively used by institutional investors and in DeFi protocols due to its transparency and regular auditing of reserves.
- Cardano (ADA) — a blockchain platform focusing on a scientific approach to development. ADA is currently priced around $0.70 (capitalization ~$23 billion) after a correction from local highs. Cardano is attracting attention with plans for an ETF launch related to this token and an active community that believes in the project's long-term growth.
- TRON (TRX) — a platform for smart contracts and decentralized applications, especially popular in Asia. TRX is trading at around $0.25; market value ~ $22 billion. TRON remains in the top 10, partly due to extensive use of the network for issuing stablecoins (a significant portion of USDT operates on the Tron blockchain).
- Dogecoin (DOGE) — the most famous meme cryptocurrency, originally created as a joke. DOGE is hovering around $0.14 (market capitalization ~$21 billion), supported by community loyalty and sporadic attention from celebrities. The volatility of Dogecoin remains high, but it continues to be among the largest coins, demonstrating remarkable resilience in investor interest.
