Crypto prices surge as BTC jumps above $90K and XRP rallies, lifting market sentiment. Traders and analysts now expect a strong recovery heading into 2026.
New Delhi: Bitcoin has given investors a big year-end surprise. On December 29, 2025, the world’s largest cryptocurrency crossed the important $90,000 mark, boosting confidence across the crypto market. Bitcoin touched nearly $90,200 during Asian trading hours, rising over 3% in a single day after weeks of slow movement.
For most of December, Bitcoin had been stuck between $86,500 and $90,000, with very little excitement. Many traders even called it a “boring month.” This sudden jump signals a possible breakout and has renewed hopes of a strong recovery in January 2026.
Bitcoin Shows Fresh Strength
In the last 24 hours alone, Bitcoin gained around 2.5%, with trading volume rising to more than $13.4 billion. This shows growing interest from investors returning to the market. However, Bitcoin is still about 4% down for the year 2025, especially when compared to its all-time high of $126,251 in October.
XRP Joins the Rally
XRP also moved higher, climbing nearly 2% alongside Bitcoin. Analysts say selling pressure is easing, which is a positive sign. XRP is currently trading around $1.91. While the token saw heavy ups and downs earlier this month, it has shown strong long-term growth—rising nearly 500% since early 2024. As usual, XRP’s movement closely follows Bitcoin’s trend.
Traders Bet on January 2026 Recovery
Market sentiment is turning positive. One key indicator, the Bitcoin funding rate, has reached its highest level since October 2025. This suggests traders are placing bullish bets for the coming weeks. Bitcoin’s market dominance stands at around 59%, while other major coins like Ethereum and Solana are also showing strength. Solana, for example, is aiming for levels close to $127.
What’s Driving the Rally?
Several global factors are helping crypto prices rise:
▪︎ Gold and silver prices are climbing, while the US dollar is weakening, which supports risk assets like crypto
▪︎ Rising oil prices and global tensions are pushing investors toward alternative stores of value
▪︎ Large investors (whales) are seeing reduced losses as Bitcoin climbs
▪︎ Companies are increasing exposure—Hyperscale recently added 11.44 BTC to its holdings despite market volatility
Risks Still Remain
Despite the optimism, caution is still needed. Year-end tax-related selling, possible liquidations, and macroeconomic uncertainty could cause sudden drops. If Bitcoin falls below $86,000, nearly $666 million in long positions could be wiped out. Ongoing debates around US interest rates could also strengthen the dollar and pressure crypto prices.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Many analysts believe 2026 could be a major turning point for cryptocurrencies. Standard Chartered expects strong gains for Bitcoin and XRP by 2027, driven by ETF adoption and institutional demand. Some forecasts suggest Bitcoin could eventually reach $250,000, while XRP could move into the $20–$30 range over the long term.
There is also growing excitement around:
▪︎ Possible XRP ETF approvals by mid-2026
▪︎ Ripple’s plan to support Asian blockchain development
▪︎ Pro-crypto policies expected under US President Donald Trump, who took office in January 2025.
Bitcoin’s move above $90,000 may be the first sign of a bigger comeback. While price swings are still likely, the growing interest from institutions, improving market mood, and strong technical signals suggest the crypto market could be entering a fresh growth phase as 2026 approaches.
Aniket Sardana