Crypto Market Opens 2026 Higher as Bitcoin ETFs Draw $471 Million

Crypto markets started the first trading day of 2026 in positive territory, with the global market cap rising to $3.16 trillion and Bitcoin trading near $93,000. Bitcoin ETFs recorded $471 million in net inflows, while PwC signaled deeper work in crypto payments and stablecoins.

Crypto Market Opens 2026 Higher as Bitcoin ETFs Draw $471 Million

What happened?

Crypto markets started the first trading day of 2026 in positive territory, with the global market cap rising to $3.16 trillion and Bitcoin trading near $93,000. Bitcoin ETFs recorded $471 million in net inflows, while PwC signaled deeper work in crypto payments and stablecoins.

Why it matters

Crypto markets moved higher on the first trading day of 2026, with the global market capitalization reaching $3.16 trillion, up 1.5%. Bitcoin rose 2% to $93,000, while Ethereum gained 1% to $3,175, BNB climbed 2.5% to $906, and Solana advanced 1% to $135.

Crypto markets moved higher on the first trading day of 2026, with the global market capitalization reaching $3.16 trillion, up 1.5%. Bitcoin rose 2% to $93,000, while Ethereum gained 1% to $3,175, BNB climbed 2.5% to $906, and Solana advanced 1% to $135.

The move matters because it showed broad strength across major assets while capital continued to flow into regulated Bitcoin investment products. Bitcoin ETFs saw $471 million in net inflows, marking the highest single-day total since November 11, according to the source material.

Smaller tokens also outperformed during the session. Virtuals led the top movers with a 24% gain, followed by Render at 17%, while BTT and FET each rose 11%.

The market update came alongside regulatory and corporate developments. SEC Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw officially departed the agency on January 2, leaving an all-Republican commission, according to the source.

In traditional finance, PwC said it plans to go deeper into crypto, with a focus on stablecoins and payments. The move points to continued institutional attention on blockchain-based financial infrastructure beyond token trading.

Source: Decrypt

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