Bitcoin Climbs Toward $94K as Crypto Prices Hold Early Gains Across U.S. Markets

Crypto markets opened the first Monday of 2026 with broad strength as bitcoin and major altcoins extended early gains during U.S. trading, reversing the late-2025 trend of intraday pullbacks. Traders rotated back into risk assets following the weekend capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, boosting sentiment across the sector.

The Coinbase Bitcoin Premium Index, a gauge of U.S. demand that measures the price gap between bitcoin on Coinbase and the global average, has rebounded sharply after hitting a nine-month low on Jan. 1. At that point, bitcoin traded near $88,000, and the index recorded its most negative reading since early 2025. The recovery signals that U.S. capital flows are returning.

Bitcoin rose nearly 1% in early U.S. trading to around $92,700, approaching $94,000, its highest level since early December. Ether (ETH $3,252) and XRP ($2.28) posted similar gains, while Solana (SOL $139.44) made modest advances. Dogecoin ($0.1505) dipped slightly but remains roughly 20% higher over the past week, attracting renewed ETF inflows.

Digital asset treasury companies, which underperformed in late 2025, led crypto-related stock gains. Strive (ASST) purchased 101.8 BTC in Q4, raising total holdings to 7,626 BTC worth about $708 million. American Bitcoin (ABTC) rose 13% after adding 329 BTC, and Solana-focused DeFi Development (DFDV) gained 16%.

Analysts said $95,000 remains a key level for bitcoin, with systematic buyers poised to reinforce momentum if support holds through the U.S. session.