Crypto market starts 2026 on balanced note, Bitcoin trades near $88,000
Synopsis
Bitcoin and Ethereum start 2026 on a balanced note, trading near $88,000 and $3,000 respectively. Major altcoins like BNB, XRP, Solana, Dogecoin, and Cardano gain over 8%, while whale accumulation rises, supporting underlying strength. Market remains cautious with consolidation and moderate momentum, as investors await clear signals for the next decisive move in the early months of 2026.
The crypto market started the new year 2026 on a balanced note with Bitcoin trading near the $88,000 mark and Ethereum trading above the $3,000 mark on Friday. Bitcoin was trading at $88,628 and Ethereum was trading at $3,012.
In the past 24 hours, Bitcoin and Ethereum rose by 1.22% and 1.28% respectively. Among the major altcoins, BNB, XRP, Solana, Dogecoin, and Cardano were up by over 8% in the past 24 hours, whereas Hyperliquid was down 2.57% in the same period.
Riya Sehgal, Research Analyst at Delta Exchange, said that the crypto market opens 2026 on a balanced note, driven by renewed institutional interest, clearer regulations, faster ETF approvals by the SEC, and the GENIUS Act’s stablecoin framework, which have boosted confidence, even as most inflows remain concentrated in Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Crypto TrackerTOP COINS (₹) XRP169 (1.75%)Bitcoin7,990,822 (1.45%)Ethereum271,516 (1.39%)BNB77,952 (0.49%)Tether90 (0.18%)Sehgal added that overall, the market appears steady but cautious, and ETF inflows, macroeconomic shifts, and institutional participation will likely determine the next major move, with Bitcoin and Ethereum continuing to anchor sentiment as investors look for direction in the early months of 2026.
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View Details »Bitcoin was down 0.22% in the past week, whereas Ethereum was up 1.54% in the same period. Among major altcoins, BNB, XRP, Solana, Tron, Dogecoin, and Cardano went up over 3% in the past week, whereas Hyperliquid was down 0.93%.
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Akshat Siddhant, Lead Quant Analyst at Mudrex, is of the opinion that Bitcoin is gradually regaining strength, trading near $88,500, as whale accumulation picks up. For the first time in months, the 30-day change in long-term holder supply has turned positive, rising by around 10,700 BTC, signalling renewed conviction among investors.
“At the same time, continued exchange outflows suggest reduced selling pressure, helping build momentum. If Bitcoin manages to clear the $89,500 resistance, a decisive move towards the $100,000 mark is likely, with $87,000 emerging as a strong support level,” Siddhant said.
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Market perspective
CoinDCX Research Team
In a broader perspective, Bitcoin appears to have remained stuck within a range, but upon close observation, the token is maintaining an ascending consolidation.
Additionally, Solana whale accumulation topped crypto trends, signalling strong buying interest. On the other hand, Bitcoin demand is now contracting month over month, edging towards negative territory, suggesting the cycle could be defined by demand rather than price.
Vikram Subburaj, CEO, Giottus
Bitcoin is starting the year pinned near the mid-$80Ks, and the options market is increasingly where that tension is being expressed. The growth in covered call strategies reflects a yield-seeking response to a collapsing futures basis.
The $82,000-$84,000 zone remains key support for BTC. The upside is capped near $90,000-$92,000 until liquidity improves. Expect range-bound trade. Avoid leverage, accumulate selectively near support, and wait for a sustained break above $92,000 with rising volumes before adding risk. Altcoins should be treated tactically until Bitcoin resolves this volatility squeeze.
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CoinSwitch Markets Desk
BTC is trading around $88,000 and continues to move within a narrow range. Buyers have defended the $87,200–$87,400 zone, providing short-term support, while upside attempts near $89,000 have faced consistent rejection.
The formation of higher lows suggests some underlying strength, but momentum remains moderate. Overall, price action points to consolidation, with a clearer direction likely to emerge only after a decisive break above resistance.
