Geopolitical developments in Venezuela and U.S. involvement are fueling volatility in crypto markets.

Bitcoin climbed above $91,000 on Sunday as traders extended early-2026 gains across major tokens. Ether, Solana, and Cardano also posted broad advances, boosted by heightened risk appetite amid fast-moving headlines from Venezuela.

Bitcoin traded near $91,300 during Asian morning hours, up about 1.4% on the day and over 4% for the week. Ether rose roughly 1% to $3,150, gaining 7% for the week, while Solana added 1.6% and climbed 8% over seven days. XRP hovered just above $2, up 0.6% on the day and nearly 10% for the week, while Cardano recorded modest daily gains and an 8% weekly advance.

The move followed a sharp liquidation flush that cleared crowded positions and reset near-term leverage. Around $180 million in futures positions were liquidated over 24 hours, with $133 million from shorts and $47 million from longs, forcing buybacks as prices pushed higher.

Political developments in Venezuela added to the risk-on tone. Former President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. plans to “run” Venezuela, though details remain limited. Venezuela’s Supreme Court granted Vice President Delcy Rodríguez full presidential powers after ousted President Nicolás Maduro was taken into U.S. custody. Trump also highlighted U.S. interests in Venezuela’s oil sector, suggesting troops would not be needed if Rodríguez “does what we want.”

Traders generally view such headlines as volatility triggers rather than direct macro drivers. In thin liquidity conditions, even modest spot demand can push prices through key technical levels, while concentrated short positions can amplify gains through forced covering.