Cryptocurrencies started 2026 with moderate gains: Bitcoin and Ether showed steady growth, while Cardano (ADA) stood out with a stronger surge. Bitcoin rose about 1% to trade near $88,700, and Ether added roughly 1% to hover around $3,010, reflecting a continuation of recovery after December lows. Meanwhile, ADA climbed 7%, outperforming the broader market and attracting traders' attention.
Cryptocurrency Growth at the Start of 2026
The rise in most major coins was accompanied by selective buying: besides ADA, Solana, XRP, and BNB also traded higher. This market behavior resembles targeted entries into specific large positions rather than a broad capital shift into altcoins.
The firm B2BINPAY noted that flows still favor liquid majors, as investors begin the year in capital preservation mode and "are not massively moving from Bitcoin and Ethereum into the altcoin market." More details on the broader stabilization can be found in the article about Bitcoin stabilization.
Cryptocurrency Market Analysis
The Altseason Index near 16 indicates ongoing Bitcoin dominance and a lack of broad altcoin participation. This means current purchases in major altcoins are more targeted and do not signal the start of a full-fledged "altseason."
As a result, investors and traders tend to choose liquid assets, leaving riskier positions aside until a clearer market picture emerges. For those interested in further price scenarios, there is an overview with forecasts for Bitcoin and altcoins in a separate article on the Bitcoin price forecast.
Impact of Global Markets
The modest crypto market recovery occurred amid general risk-on movements in global markets and rising precious metal prices. Spot gold rose toward $4,350 an ounce, and silver also gained amid expectations of possible rate cuts and a weakening dollar.
Meanwhile, TD Securities warns of a potential technical sell-off in the silver market: they estimate a sell-off of about 13% of total open interest on the Comex silver market in the next two weeks. These events create a cross-asset environment that is supportive but vulnerable to rapid shifts.
Forecasts and Risks
The cross-asset backdrop supports the crypto market due to a weaker dollar and improved sentiment on exchanges; however, trader caution remains high after a period of low liquidity and quick profit-taking at the end of the previous phase. It is important for the market that Bitcoin holding the high-$80,000s and Ether stabilizing above $3,000 are seen as early signs of buying on dips returning.
Nevertheless, the lack of broad altcoin participation and possible technical sell-offs in related markets are factors that may limit further sustainable growth.
Why This Matters
If you mine in Russia with several machines or hundreds of rigs, price dynamics directly affect revenue from selling mined coins. Moderate growth in Bitcoin and Ether means revenue for the same hash rate volumes could be slightly higher, but there are no sharp guarantees since the growth is not yet widespread.
Bitcoin dominance and targeted inflows into major altcoins mean there is no mass capital redistribution into less liquid coins yet. This is important when choosing a strategy—whether to switch the mined coin or stay with proven assets.
What to Do?
- Assess mining profitability at current Bitcoin and Ether prices and adjust coin withdrawal thresholds if necessary.
- Maintain liquidity: keep part of your funds in the most liquid assets to cover operational expenses during volatility.
- Do not switch massively to less liquid altcoins solely due to short-term spikes; current purchases appear targeted, not systemic.
- Monitor news on precious metals markets and macroeconomics—major reallocations in related assets can affect short-term crypto volatility.
- Plan technical maintenance and workload distribution across equipment to reduce risks during possible short-term downturns.