Crypto prices have pushed higher this week after Bitcoin crossed $97,000 for the first time since December, lifting the total market cap by 1.1% to $3.35 trillion. BTC gained 2.2% in 24 hours to reach a short-lived peak of $97,900, while ETH has risen 1.8% to $3,350. XRP is holding around $2.12 and is mostly flat on the day, but it still outperformed majors earlier in 2026 with gains of up to 32% \u2013 so Web3 bulls are watching XRP for signs of a new breakout.<\/p>\n
Large-cap altcoins are showing mixed results: Solana has jumped by 7.3% in a week amid network upgrades, BNB gained 5.9% in the same period of time, and TRON has gained 3.2% with solid volume. Regulatory progress, including an incoming US Senate bill clarifying token rules and splitting oversight between agencies, has stabilized sentiment after late-2025 volatility.<\/p>\n
Presales have stayed resilient throughout January, thanks to clearer fiscal policies and risk-on investor shifts that favor low-entry projects. VanEck labeled 2026 a \u201crisk-on\u201d year, noting AI and gold corrections while crypto\u2019s cycle breaks open doors for outperformers. This backdrop could make Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER)<\/a>, a Bitcoin-focused Layer 2 presale project, a better play than established alts like XRP, as its momentum points to greater breakout potential over the next several months.<\/p>\n This publication is sponsored. CryptoDnes does not endorse and is not responsible for the content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Bitcoin\u2019s surge to $97,900 liquidated $700 million in shorts, clearly demonstrating a marked increase in risk appetite. Analysts generally agree that this rally has legs, with Ethereum following with its own move toward $3,400 and beyond. Total trading volume hit $166 billion earlier today, signaling steady activity despite mixed asset performance.<\/p>\n The bipartisan CLARITY Act, which the US Senate is due to debate later this month, aims to define tokens as securities or commodities, easing fears around stablecoins and protections. This framework could push crypto toward mass adoption, although Chainalysis has also reported $17 billion lost in 2025 crypto scams \u2013 giving lawmakers reason to push for stronger safeguards.<\/p>\n
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\nCrypto Market Gains Ground With Regulatory Tailwinds<\/h2>\n