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The crypto markets kicked off 2026 with notable momentum. Bitcoin and Ether ETFs witnessed substantial inflows, with spot funds attracting $646 million on the first trading day of the year—a strong signal of institutional and retail interest returning to major digital assets.
Meanwhile, protocol activity remained robust. BitMine made a significant validator commitment, staking an additional $259 million in ETH, which pushed the validator entry queue to nearly 1 million Ether. This continued accumulation underscores growing confidence in Ethereum's staking ecosystem and long-term network participation.
Market sentiment also shifted favorably for Bitcoin. On Polymarket prediction markets, odds of Bitcoin outperforming traditional gold throughout 2026 climbed to 59%—reflecting traders' conviction that crypto could edge out traditional haven assets in the year ahead.
On the altcoin front, XRP managed to overtake BNB in market positioning, signaling renewed attention to the token amid broader market dynamics. These movements paint a picture of a crypto landscape entering 2026 with diverse momentum across multiple asset classes.