XRP's 9% surge leads crypto as bitcoin climbs to 6-week high near $95,000

Group 1: Bitcoin and XRP Performance - Bitcoin (BTC) rose to $94,400, gaining over 3%, marking its highest level since mid-November, with a significant rally led by XRP, which increased by 9% to nearly $2.32 [1] - Analysts view the $95,000 level for Bitcoin as a key threshold for further momentum [1] Group 2: Crypto-Related Stocks - Crypto-related stocks experienced sharp increases, with Coinbase (COIN) up nearly 9% following an upgrade to buy from Goldman Sachs, while Strategy (MSTR) and Robinhood (HOOD) rose by 5% and 6%, respectively [2] - Smaller companies also saw significant gains, with Bakkt (BKKT) soaring 30% and Figure (FIGR) increasing by 20%, while Bitcoin miner Hut 8 (HUT) rose 15%, nearing $60 per share [3] Group 3: Market Trends and Predictions - U.S. stocks also showed positive movement, with the Dow advancing by 1.4%, while the Nasdaq and S&P 500 increased by 0.7% [4] - Analysts suggest that Bitcoin, which fell over 6% in 2025, may be positioned for a recovery in 2026 due to falling interest rates and a decreasing supply of actively traded BTC [5] - Long-term holders are keeping coins off exchanges, potentially tightening supply and supporting prices [5] Group 4: Regulatory and Technical Considerations - New tax reporting requirements in the U.S. could negatively impact retail participation in the crypto market, and regulatory decisions targeting crypto-heavy firms pose risks [6] - A sustained move above $100,000 for Bitcoin could reignite ambitions for record highs, while a drop below this level may expose Bitcoin to deeper declines, with support levels identified at $77,500 and $54,000 [6]