Crypto markets kicked off the first Monday of 2026 with strong gains as traders rotated back into risk assets following the weekend capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro. For a second consecutive session, digital assets extended overnight advances during U.S. trading — a shift from late 2025, when the sector often retreated while U.S. stocks were active.

The Coinbase Bitcoin Premium Index, which tracks the price difference between bitcoin on Coinbase and the global average as a proxy for U.S. demand, has rebounded sharply after hitting a nine-month low on Jan. 1. At that point, bitcoin was trading near $88,000, and the index registered its most negative reading since the first quarter of 2025. The recovery suggests U.S. capital flows are returning to the market.

Bitcoin has gained nearly 1% since the U.S. session began, trading around $92,700 and 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) advanced more modestly. Dogecoin ($0.1505) dipped slightly over 24 hours but remains roughly 20% higher over the past week, drawing renewed ETF inflows.

Analysts said the $95,000 level remains a key barrier for bitcoin. Jake Ostrovskis, head of OTC at Wintermute, noted that if bitcoin and ether maintain support during U.S. trading, systematic buyers could step in and sustain momentum.

Digital asset treasury companies, which underperformed in the second half of 2025, led gains in crypto-related stocks. Strive (ASST) rose on news of a fourth-quarter purchase of 101.8 BTC, bringing total holdings to 7,626 BTC worth roughly $708 million. American Bitcoin (ABTC) added 329 BTC, increasing reserves to 5,427 BTC and rising 13%, while Solana-focused DeFi Development (DFDV) jumped 16%.