Cryptocurrency costs have surged during the last 24 hours amid studies of a prison investigation into US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and XRP recorded worth good points because the broader cryptocurrency market capitalization surpassed $3 trillion.
BTC, ETH Lead Crypto’s Resurgence
Because the second week of 2026 will get underway, cryptocurrency bulls are rubbing their palms on the prospect of an prolonged rally for digital property. In line with CoinMarketCap information, the worldwide cryptocurrency market capitalization grew by almost 2% inside 24 hours to settle at $3.11 trillion.
BTC led the way in which with a powerful exhibiting, climbing to an intra-day buying and selling excessive of almost $92,000 for the primary time in weeks. Bitcoin’s efficiency sparked hypothesis of a sustained run towards the $100,000 mark amid a formidable buying and selling quantity.
Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency, inched towards $3,100, gaining over 1% on the day by day chart. In the meantime, XRP consolidated on the $2 mark whereas SOL climbed by almost 2% after a uneven begin to the brand new 12 months.
Among the many high 20 largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, solely Monero (XMR) posted double-digit share good points. At press time, the privateness coin is inching towards the $600 worth level after gaining 15% during the last day whereas ZEC recorded an near-7% surge in the identical timeframe.
Jerome Powell’s Felony Investigation Underway
The surge in cryptocurrency costs comes on the heels of the formal launch of a prison investigation in opposition to the US Fed Chair Jerome Powell. The Fed Chair confirmed the probe in a video, terming it as unprecedented and a ploy by US President Donald Trump to undermine the independence of the Federal Reserve.
Impartial sources affirm that the US Division of Justice (DOJ) threatened to indict the Fed Chair over his testimony at a Senate committee listening to on renovation prices for Federal Reserve buildings.
“That is about whether or not the Fed will have the ability to proceed to set rates of interest primarily based on proof and financial situations, or whether or not as a substitute financial coverage might be directed by political stress or intimidation,” stated Powell.
Beforehand, Trump had criticized Powell for failing to chop rates of interest, branding the Fed Chair as “Mr Too Late” and a “numbskull.” A flurry of fee cuts on the finish of 2025 did little to finish the feud between Trump and Powell, with the US President poking holes within the Fed Chair’s means.
In the meantime, information from the FedWatch software places the percentages of a fee lower in January at solely 5% as Powell braces for the DOJ probe.

