After a lackluster begin to 2026, cryptocurrency costs have discovered their stride in a robust exhibiting on January 4. Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Cardano (ADA), and XRP are within the inexperienced once more, whereas smaller-cap cryptocurrencies are additionally posting spectacular numbers.
BTC, ETH, ADA, XRP Lead Broader Crypto Rally
Merchants are rubbing their arms in glee over spectacular returns raked in by main cryptocurrencies during the last day. In accordance with CoinMarketCap information, the worldwide cryptocurrency market capitalization surpassed $3 trillion for the primary time in 2026, representing a close to 3% surge in 24 hours.
BTC, the biggest cryptocurrency, set the tempo with an intra-day excessive of $89,824, with bulls watching the $90K psychological mark with optimism. On the finish of 2025, Bitcoin value obtained a heavy pummelling earlier than long-term holders hit the brakes on promoting their cash, sparking optimism for a short-term rally.
Then again, Ethereum broke by means of the $3,000 mark, surging by practically 3% during the last day. In the meantime, day by day transaction quantity for the biggest altcoin sits at a powerful $14.84 billion on the heels of a document community exercise.
ADA shook off its bearish sentiment from the New 12 months to drag in positive factors of over 7% to allay fears of a stoop under the $1 mark. Among the many high 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, DOGE scored the largest day by day achieve, surging by 9.03% to commerce at $0.1314.
BNB and XRP posted respectable positive factors in the identical timeframe, rallying after a bleak begin to the New 12 months. Moreover, LINK soared by 6.37% in beneath 24 hours whereas SOL pulled in a 2% upswing to settle at $128. HBAR and PEPE scored double-digit positive factors with the memecoin surging by a staggering 37%, in accordance with CoinMarketCap information.
Regardless of the market’s basic uptick, the HYPE value fell by nearly 5% over 24 hours. After a terrific run, ZEC additionally skilled a steep 6.89% drawdown, going in opposition to prevailing market sentiment.
Why Are Costs Up?
A number of causes can account for the surge in cryptocurrency costs. Proper off the bat, Bitcoin’s value resilience to come back inside touching distance of the $90K mark signaled the beginning of the rally. Moreover, long-term holders have reversed their promoting spree, with spot Bitcoin ETFs notching $355 million in internet inflows, breaking a seven-day dropping streak.
For altcoins, Ethereum’s spectacular community metrics, together with its day by day transaction quantity, added steam to its value. Rising RWA worth on Solana and Franklin Templeton’s endorsement of XRPL contributed to the altcoin buzz on January 2.
