Bitcoin Surges Above $90,000, Signaling a Shift in Market Sentiment
The renewed surge in Bitcoin market price, surpassing the $90,000 mark, defies the weakness seen towards the end of the year and indicates a resurgence in strength during US trading hours.
Breaking Away from Year-End Weakness
The end of 2025 had established a nearly mechanical pattern. Cryptocurrency prices rose in Asia or Europe, only to consistently fall at the opening of Wall Street. Profit-taking, tax arbitrage, and risk reduction dominated American flows.
The session in early January marks a turning point. Bitcoin climbed above $90,000, up about 2.5% over 24 hours, while major altcoins showed even stronger performances. ETH, SOL, and XRP increased by 4% to over 6%, signaling a broader risk appetite beyond BTC alone.
This change in pace remains fragile but breaks away from a defensive trend that had been prevalent during the last months of 2025.
A More Favorable Macro Environment?
The crypto movement is part of a generally positive environment for risky assets. On the first trading day of the year, the Nasdaq advanced by approximately 0.6%, driven by AI-related companies. Nvidia, Broadcom, Micron, and Intel recorded gains ranging from 3% to 6%.
Commodities also contributed to the rebound. Silver increased by nearly 3%, while gold and copper showed more modest gains. This synchronization between stocks, commodities, and crypto suggests a temporary return of ‘risk-on’ mode after a cautious end to the year.
Cryptocurrency Stocks Leading the Way
Companies exposed to the crypto ecosystem benefited greatly from this renewed optimism. Miners pivoted to AI infrastructure delivered the best performance of the session. Hut 8, CleanSpark, and TeraWulf gained about 10%, while Cipher Mining and IREN grew by nearly 8%.
Financial players like Strategy and Coinbase saw increases of over 3%. Galaxy Digital jumped by around 7%, and Circle advanced by over 4%. These movements reflect a resurgence in appetite for crypto market proxies, which had long been neglected during the correction phase.
A Signal to Confirm
Despite this rebound, caution is warranted. One session alone is not enough to negate several months of underperformance during US hours. The market will need to confirm that this change in behavior is not just a calendar effect linked to the early-year repositioning.
If this trend continues, it could signify a significant turning point. A cryptocurrency that rises alongside US markets would indicate a return of institutional demand and a gradual normalization of flows. For now, the message is clear: Bitcoin has regained momentum, and the market is closely watching to see if this movement signals the beginning of a new cycle or just a technical rebound before a fall.
