The crypto market started the new year 2026 on a balanced note with Bitcoin trading near the $88,000 mark and Ethereum trading above the $3,000 mark on Friday. Bitcoin was trading at $88,628 and Ethereum was trading at $3,012.

In the past 24 hours, Bitcoin and Ethereum rose by 1.22% and 1.28% respectively. Among the major altcoins, BNB, XRP, Solana, Dogecoin, and Cardano were up by over 8% in the past 24 hours, whereas Hyperliquid was down 2.57% in the same period.

Riya Sehgal, Research Analyst at Delta Exchange, said that the crypto market opens 2026 on a balanced note, driven by renewed institutional interest, clearer regulations, faster ETF approvals by the SEC, and the GENIUS Act’s stablecoin framework, which have boosted…