Crypto market rises as Bitcoin ETF inflows start 2026 strong

Crypto prices opened 2026 on firmer footing, with Decrypt reporting that the global crypto market capitalization reached $3.16 trillion, up 1.5%. For everyday investors, the notable signal was not just higher token prices, but renewed demand for Bitcoin exchange-traded funds, which are stock-market products that give exposure to Bitcoin without directly holding the coin.

Decrypt said Bitcoin traded at $93,000, up 2%, while Ethereum rose 1% to $3,175. BNB climbed 2.5% to $906, and Solana gained 1% to $135, according to the same Jan. 5 market update.

Market capitalization means the total value of a crypto asset or market, calculated by multiplying price by supply. A rising total can reflect higher prices, new supply, or both, so it is best read as a broad temperature check rather than a full explanation of demand.

ETF inflows gave Bitcoin a stronger signal

Decrypt reported that U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs took in $471 million in net inflows on the first trading day of 2026. Net inflows mean more money entered the funds than left them during the session.

That was the largest single-day inflow total since Nov. 11, according to Decrypt. ETF flows matter because they show how much capital is moving through regulated brokerage products used by retail and institutional investors. When those funds see inflows, their issuers generally need to add exposure to Bitcoin, which can affect market demand.

The figure does not mean Bitcoin must keep rising. ETF flows can reverse quickly, and crypto prices remain sensitive to macro news, regulation, liquidity and investor risk appetite.

Altcoins and AI-linked tokens led gainers

Decrypt listed Virtuals as one of the strongest movers, up 24%. Render rose 17%, while BitTorrent and Fetch.ai each gained 11%, according to the report.

Those moves show that risk appetite extended beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum during the session. Smaller tokens often move more sharply than the largest cryptocurrencies because they trade with thinner liquidity, meaning less money can move the price more.

Decrypt’s broader price board, with data credited to CoinGecko, also showed mixed trading across individual coins, underscoring how uneven crypto rallies can be. Some large tokens were higher while others slipped, even as the headline market value rose.

Regulation and payments stayed in focus

Decrypt also reported that SEC Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw officially left the agency on Jan. 2, leaving an all-Republican commission. The Securities and Exchange Commission is the main U.S. markets regulator, and its leadership mix matters because it can shape how aggressively the agency writes and enforces rules for digital assets.

In another development, Decrypt said PwC plans to go further into crypto, with an emphasis on stablecoins and payments. Stablecoins are tokens designed to track the value of traditional currencies, usually the U.S. dollar, and they are increasingly used for trading, settlement and cross-border transfers.

For crypto investors, the day’s update paired two familiar drivers: price momentum and infrastructure adoption. Higher ETF inflows pointed to renewed demand through traditional finance channels, while PwC’s stablecoin focus suggested large professional-services firms still see business opportunities in crypto payments.

This story draws on original reporting from Decrypt.