Crypto Market News Today, January 3: Bitcoin Dominance Drops Under 60% as Whale Turns Big Ethereum Long, Betting on Price Faucet
Just as we talked about why crypto could pump big this year 2026 yesterday, the price of Bitcoin rose to $90,000, while alts like Ethereum and XRP performed very well as BTC’s dominance fell below 60%. This somehow caught us off guard, especially after weeks of heady January.
Refusing to crash, the market rises sharply. Bitcoin jumped with a price gain of 1%, Ethereum about 3%, followed by altcoins. XRP is up 6%, easily beating the day’s biggest gains, and sentiment changed slightly after yesterday’s options expiration wiped the board.
Crypto Fear and Greed Index
Last Updated: Jan 03, 2026
Market Sentiment
Now 37.34 Fear
Yesterday 36.61 Fear
Last week 33.26 Fear
Bitcoin Dominance and Price Stabilize as Circulation Begins
At about 59%, the dominance of Bitcoin indicates the beginning of heavy circulation, like the appearance of popcorn. Capital is moving, the price of Bitcoin remains high, exploding 90,000 dollars, as we track the CME gap above the resistance level, which has a strong historical tendency to fill.
(source – BTC USD, CME gap, TradingView)
Despite the smoothness of governance, Bitcoin remains strong. On a weekly basis, it rose 2.5%, while last year’s winner, gold, fell more than 4% after reaching $4,550. That difference is a perfect example of a narrative spiraling as some currency moves from traditional currencies to digital assets.
Liquidity conditions also helped. The Federal Reserve injected nearly $19.5 billion through repo operations, one of the biggest moves since the Covid era. These injections may not grab the headlines, but they support risky assets in the background, as can be seen in Bitcoin’s price action.
🚨BREAKING: The Fed just pumped another $19.5 Billion into the US Banking System through overnight repos.
Something big is happening behind the scenes. pic.twitter.com/rxcKOTJxtS
– Ash Crypto (@AshCrypto) January 2, 2026
DISCOVER: 10+ Next Crypto to 100X By 2026
Ethereum Price Takes the Obvious as Big Whale Betting Places
One whale (what the community called an insider whale with a good strike rate) opened long positions worth more than $600 million in ETH, an exposure that far exceeds the value of Bitcoin and Solana combined. The scale alone raised eyebrows, but the timing was right, as usual. With more than 203,000 ETH in play, betting means expectations for another rise.
(source- Hyperliquid)
Ethereum price held above $3,100, supported by good volume and volatility. ETH is leading this phase of change and was the first gainer in the market as Bitcoin’s dominance declined. XRP followed with strong gains, and the altcoins market showed signs of life again.
Major brands, British stocks, and what’s coming next
Away from the price action, what is happening in the main building is also worth watching. British stocks have outperformed US markets since Donald Trump’s return to office, challenging views that US stocks will soon fall. UK indices showed strong strength, while US stocks remained flat despite policy optimism, as reported by the BBC. Is Trump really the president we need for crypto?
Crypto continues to move at its own pace. Bitcoin’s dominance is less than 60% historically, and if it moves forward in its price, it can remain above important levels. Ethereum may lead the anticipated altcoin season.
FIND: 16+ New and upcoming Binance listings in 2026
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