As the markets unfolded for the inaugural trading session of 2026, Bitcoin maintained a strong position around the $88,000 mark on Friday. Reduced trading volumes, due to the holiday season, helped keep market fluctuations subdued, as investors geared up for a year filled with pivotal policy and technology-driven events.
Early signs of risk-taking were particularly evident in Asia, where markets in Hong Kong and South Korea were buoyed by gains in technology and semiconductor sectors, continuing a positive trend from late 2025. Notably, Japan and mainland China remained closed for holidays, contributing to lower liquidity across the region.
Crypto traders remained vigilant, closely monitoring Bitcoin’s potential to harness this stability into upward momentum following a period of volatility during year-end trading. According to Akshat Siddhant, lead quantitative analyst at Mudrex, Bitcoin appears to be steadily regaining its strength.
“For the first time in months, we have observed a positive 30-day change in long-term holder supply, which has increased by approximately 10,700 BTC. This indicates a renewed confidence among investors,” Siddhant explained.
“Moreover, ongoing outflows from exchanges suggest diminished selling pressure, which could help build momentum for Bitcoin. If it manages to break the $89,500 resistance level, we could see it make a decisive leap towards the $100,000 threshold, with $87,000 acting as a robust support level.”
Market Snapshot
- Bitcoin: $88,574, up 1.2%
- Ether: $3,009, up 1.2%
- XRP: $1.87, up 2%
- Total crypto market cap: $3.08 trillion, up 1.2%
In the equity futures market, investors mirrored the optimistic tone, with S&P 500 futures climbing by 0.29% and Nasdaq futures up by 0.36%. This boost is largely attributed to the robust year-end performance in big tech stocks.
The ongoing enthusiasm can be traced back to the AI sector, which fueled much of the gains in 2025 as capital flowed into applications, data centers, and advanced chip technologies. As the new year begins, investors are now keenly watching corporate earnings to see if they can continue to support valuations, especially amid growing policy uncertainties in Washington.
Attention is now shifting toward the U.S. economy and the Federal Reserve, with markets anticipating delayed economic data following the government shutdown and adjusting expectations regarding potential rate cuts. Currently, traders are pricing in only a 15% likelihood of a rate cut this month, with one additional reduction expected by June.
Markets Prepare for Political Risks and Shifts in Policy
Political developments also loom large, particularly with President Donald Trump set to nominate a successor to Chair Jerome Powell later this month, which could introduce another layer of volatility for traders.
In the commodities market, metals captured investors’ attention after a stellar performance in 2025; spot gold rose by 0.9% to $4,351.70 per ounce, while spot silver jumped by 2% to $72.63 per ounce. This momentum is underpinned by expectations of rate cuts, geopolitical tensions, and favorable demand dynamics.
In currencies, the U.S. dollar began the year on a weaker note following its largest annual decline in eight years, with investors weighing a potentially dovish Federal Reserve against the changing global interest rate landscape.
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