Cardano's ADA pops 7%, bitcoin, ether show steady gains as traders enter 2026

Market Overview - Bitcoin and major tokens started 2026 positively, with Bitcoin rising about 1% to near $88,700 and Ether increasing roughly 1% to around $3,010, indicating a steady recovery from late December lows [1] - ADA led the gains among large caps, climbing 7%, while Solana, XRP, and BNB also traded higher, suggesting selective positioning rather than a broad altcoin surge [2] Investor Sentiment - Analysts noted that investors are not rotating significantly out of Bitcoin and Ethereum into the altcoin market, with the Altseason Index near 16 indicating Bitcoin dominance and limited market-wide participation [3] - Inflows into large caps like Solana and XRP appear to be targeted exposure rather than indicative of an early altseason [3] Broader Market Trends - Asian equities rose 0.8%, driven by technology shares, with a regional tech gauge reaching a record high, while Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 0.6% [4] - Precious metals also advanced, with spot gold rising toward $4,350 an ounce and silver gaining more than 1%, as traders positioned for potential U.S. rate cuts and dollar weakness in 2026 [4] Market Caution - Some analysts warned of near-term pressure from portfolio rebalancing, predicting a significant 13% of aggregate open interest in Comex silver markets to be sold in the coming weeks, leading to a potential repricing lower [5] - Despite a supportive cross-asset setup, the crypto market remains fragile, with traders cautious after a late-2025 period characterized by thin liquidity and quick profit-taking [6]