After the capture of Venezuela’s long-time strongman, global headlines suddenly shifted.
Markets reacted fast.
Risk appetite returned almost overnight.
Now the big question is simple.
Are we seeing a true risk-on phase, or just a delayed Santa rally that usually runs into early January?
No one knows for sure.
But one thing is clear.
Crypto looks strong again.
Bitcoin and XRP are leading the move.
Yes, some altcoins have already popped too.
However, we prefer to start with the majors first.
If momentum continues, we’ll zoom in on more altcoins over the next few days.
At the time of writing:
- BTC is trading around 94,440
- XRP is trading around 2.26
Let’s break down what’s happening.
Personal note: how I’m positioned right now
I still hold a meaningful amount of spot Bitcoin.
Some of those coins have been sitting quietly since 2013.
That said, I’m slowly preparing to move more into stables.
This might be the move I’ve been waiting for.
If Bitcoin pushes into the 102k–105k area, I plan to fully de-risk.
From there, I’ll wait for a clearer market structure and cleaner macro signals before re-entering.
I’ve learned the hard way that patience pays more than prediction.
Bitcoin price action: strength returns, but the debate heats up
Bitcoin spent weeks chopping sideways.
The range was tight, frustrating, and exhausting.
Now the structure has shifted.
BTC reclaimed levels above the low 90k area and started showing signs of strength.
That alone changed market psychology.
However, traders are split on what comes next.
Some see the move as the start of a fresh expansion.
Others fear a classic bull trap near the psychological 100k level.
BTC enters a stronger technical regime
Several structural indicators have flipped positive.
Bitcoin moved out of a weak phase and into a stronger trend environment.
Price action improved alongside momentum and trend alignment.
This type of setup historically favors continuation.
Still, Bitcoin is approaching key resistance.
And whenever price presses the top of a range, pullbacks become more likely.
In simple terms:
- Trend strength looks better
- Momentum supports upside
- Short-term overheating risks remain
A clean break and hold above resistance would confirm continuation.
Failure would increase the odds of a false breakout.
On-chain data shows steady accumulation
Despite the debate on price, on-chain behavior remains constructive.
Long-term holders continue absorbing supply.
Accumulation addresses are holding more BTC than ever before.
Retail participation is rising slowly.
Importantly, it does not look euphoric yet.
That combination usually signals controlled optimism, not late-cycle mania.
Sideways consolidation also plays a role here.
The longer Bitcoin builds a base, the more energy it stores for the next move.
The 100k Bitcoin question: breakout or bull trap?
Opinions could not be more divided.
One camp believes Bitcoin has already put in a durable bottom.
According to this view, a push above current levels could trigger a fast move toward six figures.
The other camp remains cautious.
They warn that a squeeze toward 100k could lure late buyers before a deeper correction.
Both scenarios are possible.
This is why risk management matters more than conviction.
Corporate Bitcoin demand remains strong
Corporate interest in Bitcoin has not slowed down.
The largest corporate holder added more BTC at the start of 2026.
The purchase was modest compared to earlier buys, but the message was clear.
Despite reporting a large unrealized paper loss during last year’s pullback, the strategy remains unchanged.
Bitcoin stays at the center of the balance sheet.
More companies are following similar treasury paths.
This steady institutional presence adds a long-term bid underneath the market.
Macro voices turn bullish, with caveats
Some high-profile macro analysts (like Tom Lee) are once again calling for new Bitcoin highs in January.
The view is that January could surprise to the upside.
However, volatility is expected to remain elevated throughout 2026.
Interestingly, more cautious targets are often shared behind closed doors.
This gap between public optimism and internal expectations is worth noting.
Translation: expect opportunity, but don’t expect a smooth ride.
XRP price action: strong start to 2026
While Bitcoin sets the tone, XRP has quietly delivered strong performance.
XRP is up roughly 18 percent in the first days of 2026.
That move puts it among the better-performing large-cap assets.
Let’s look at why XRP is getting attention again.
XRP breaks out of a long consolidation
XRP recently pushed out of a downward-sloping consolidation structure.
This type of breakout often signals a trend continuation rather than a short-term bounce.
Downside momentum had already been fading before the move.
Price is now reclaiming key moving averages.
The next major technical challenge sits slightly higher.
If the breakout holds, higher resistance zones come into play over the coming weeks.
Wyckoff structure suggests higher targets
Some analysts are pointing to a reaccumulation structure in XRP.
In simple terms, this suggests:
- Early buyers accumulated
- Price cooled without collapsing
- Supply slowly moved into stronger hands
Recent price behavior fits that narrative.
A quick dip late last year flushed weak sellers before price recovered.
If XRP continues to build above key levels, higher targets open up over time.
Some long-term projections extend much further, though those remain speculative.
Institutional demand tightens XRP supply
One of the more interesting developments is institutional participation.
Spot XRP ETFs continue to attract capital.
Flows have remained positive even during volatile periods.
At the same time, XRP balances on exchanges keep declining.
That means fewer tokens are readily available for selling.
This combination of steady demand and shrinking supply often sets the stage for stronger moves once momentum accelerates.
Several banks have echoed this view, projecting higher XRP valuations over the longer term.
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Final words: trade smart, not emotional
Momentum looks good right now.
Both BTC and XRP are showing strength.
That doesn’t mean risk disappears.
It never does.
Trade with clear targets.
Define invalidation levels.
Use stop losses.
Take profits along the way.
There is nothing wrong with being cautious.
There is also nothing wrong with participating.
The market is offering opportunity again.
Just make sure you manage it properly.
If this rally holds, we’ll expand coverage to more altcoins soon.
If you enjoyed this blog, be sure to check out our recent guide on the mental side of trading.
As always, don’t forget to claim your bonus below on Bybit. See you next time!
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