A high-timeframe trader has outlined a Bitcoin fractal that closely aligns the current market cycle with the structural pattern observed before the 2021 bull run. The comparison includes similar distribution phases, a drop to the 0.382 Fibonacci level, and recovery attempts capped by descending resistance, while also framing $100,000 as a key psychological barrier. Within this framework, potential moves toward the $98,000–$99,000 area and a median short-term cost basis near $95,000–$100,000 are highlighted, with a sustained break above $104,000–$105,000 flagged as the level that would invalidate the fractal thesis.

XRP saw a brief rebound in early 2026 and is now trading slightly above $2.0. Analysts highlight a recurring setup that previously drove a move from about $0.5 to over $2, with a decisive break above $2.26 and resistance between $3.4 and $3.7 viewed as key levels for the next leg higher.

Crypto analyst Bird said on X that XRP could be primed for its strongest rally, citing a breakdown in Bitcoin dominance that preceded major XRP surges in 2018, 2021, and 2024. He argues a confirmed drop in BTC.D could push the token into double digits. XRP trades around $2.14, down almost 5% in 24 hours, according to CoinMarketCap.

In early January 2026, Bitcoin climbed back through the $94,000 mark after weeks below that level, with price hovering near $92,780 after touching an intraday high of $94,343. The move was driven by stronger risk appetite linked to political developments in Venezuela, renewed institutional demand via US spot Bitcoin ETFs, and on-chain indicators showing fading sell pressure between $80,000 and $95,000. Glassnode's data suggests momentum is improving but structural demand remains muted, leaving the recovery above $90,000 on uncertain footing.

Over the past 48 hours, XRP moved from sub-$2 levels to trade near $2.40, as the piece notes. According to @Steph_iscrypto, its weekly structure echoes the pre-breakout pattern seen in 2017, including a falling wedge. Key levels in focus are $2.30, $2.50 and $2.80, with major resistance at $3.10 and $3.40.

Crypto analyst Sykodelic on X says Bitcoin's current cycle diverges from past four‑year patterns, with the liquidity index failing to peak near the latest high above $126,000. He argues the missing parabolic surge has been delayed, as spot ETF inflows and government‑level adoption coincided with range‑bound global liquidity since the 2022 bear‑market bottom.

XRP's price has stayed muted even as trading activity persists, with structural selling by early investors cited as a key factor. Jake Claver of Digital Ascension Group argues that large XRP holders are mainly offloading through OTC desks and dark pools, while ETFs quietly draw from the same liquidity, limiting visible price impact. This combination allows significant supply to enter the market without dramatic exchange moves, keeping upward momentum constrained.

A well-known crypto trader argues that 2026 is not the window for a $1,000 XRP price, even as long-term upside remains on the table. The debate followed a widely circulated forecast highlighted by Uphold that envisions $1,000 by 2030. Commentator Pharaoh also ruled out 2025 and 2026, aligning with Don Kwok’s caution against short-term hype.

Arthur Hayes, the co-founder of BitMEX, shifted capital over a two-week span by selling 1,871 ETH valued at about $5.53 million and reallocating the proceeds into several DeFi tokens. He concentrated new positions in Pendle, Lido DAO, Ethena, and Ether.fi, reflecting a thesis that these protocols tied to yield, staking, and synthetic dollar mechanics may offer better risk-adjusted returns than simply holding Ethereum. Hayes has framed the moves as a portfolio rotation using ETH as base collateral rather than a complete exit from the asset.