Crypto Markets Hold Steady as Precious Metals Surge to Record Levels
By [Your Name] – January 12 2026
The cryptocurrency sector showed little directional movement on Monday, Jan. 12, as investors digested heightened political pressure on the U.S. Federal Reserve and a sharp rally in traditional safe‑haven assets. While Bitcoin and most altcoins traded within narrow ranges, gold and silver each posted all‑time highs, underscoring a growing appetite for low‑risk stores of value.
Market Snapshot
| Asset | Price (approx.) | 24‑h change | 7‑d change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin (BTC) | $91,400 | +0.5 % | –2.5 % |
| Ethereum (ETH) | $3,100 | –0.5 % | –2.5 % |
| Solana (SOL) | $142 | +2.2 % | — |
| XRP | $2.07 | –0.7 % | — |
| BNB | $903 | –0.3 % | — |
| DOGE | $0.138 | ↔︎ | — |
| Total Crypto Market Cap | $3.2 trillion | +0.2 % | — |
Bitcoin hovered just above the $91 k mark, gaining a modest half‑percent during the session but still lagging roughly 2½ % for the week. Ethereum slipped to the $3.1 k level, mirroring Bitcoin’s weekly decline. The broader crypto market cap inched higher, signaling that the sideways price action is not driven by a sharp influx of new capital.
Institutional Outlook
Standard Chartered lifted its long‑term price targets for the leading cryptocurrencies, forecasting Bitcoin could reach $500 k and Ethereum $40 k by the end of 2030. The bullish view stems from expected continued demand for Ethereum‑based stablecoins, tokenized assets, and decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, as well as ongoing purchases by Bitmine’s crypto‑treasury fund.
On‑Chain Dynamics
Glassnode’s latest analysis highlights a slowdown in the outflows of Bitcoin held by long‑term investors. Net withdrawals from the “long‑term holder” segment have eased from historically extreme levels, suggesting that the market is gradually absorbing older supply and may be relieving upward pressure on prices.
Altcoin Movers
- Monero (XMR) posted the strongest gain among the top‑100 coins, climbing over 16 % and touching its highest price since 2018.
- Polygon (formerly MATIC, now POL) suffered a near 10 % decline, erasing the rally it enjoyed the previous week.
- Midnight (NIGHT), an asset tied to Cardano, fell about 7 %.
Overall, most top‑ten tokens traded flat to mildly negative, with the exception of Solana’s modest upside.
Liquidity and Derivatives
Volatility triggered roughly $257 million in crypto liquidations over the past 24 hours, according to Coinglass data. Long positions accounted for $158 million of the total, while short positions were liquidated for $99 million. Bitcoin led the liquidation tally with $62 million, followed by Ethereum at $53 million.
Spot Bitcoin exchange‑traded funds (ETFs) recorded net outflows of $681 million last week, reducing cumulative inflows to $56.4 billion. Ethereum ETFs saw $68.6 million of outflows, leaving total inflows at $12.4 billion.
Macro Backdrop: Fed Turmoil and Safe‑Haven Surge
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s Sunday remarks amplified market uncertainty. He characterized recent DOJ subpoenas related to his Senate testimony as politically motivated pressure from the Trump administration, a claim the former president quickly dismissed. The ensuing distrust in U.S. policy outlook prompted a sell‑off in equities, bonds, and the dollar, reviving the “Sell America” trade narrative.
In contrast, investors turned to precious metals. Gold breached $4,600 per ounce, setting a new record, while silver topped $85.70 per ounce. Analysts at QCP Capital warned that short‑term volatility is likely to stay elevated, with upcoming U.S. CPI data and a Supreme Court tariff ruling as potential catalysts.
Key Takeaways
- Crypto remains range‑bound. Bitcoin and Ethereum are trading in tight corridors, reflecting cautious sentiment amid political and monetary uncertainty.
- Long‑term supply absorption. Reduced outflows from long‑term BTC holders indicate the market may be digesting older supply, potentially easing upward pressure over the medium term.
- Institutional optimism persists. Despite near‑term stagnation, major banks maintain aggressive multi‑year price targets for the sector’s flagship assets.
- Altcoin divergence. Privacy‑focused Monero led gains, while former high‑flyers like Polygon reverted sharply, highlighting continued sector fragmentation.
- Safe‑haven rally. Gold and silver’s record highs underscore a flight to traditional stores of value as investors grapple with U.S. political risk and broader geopolitical instability.
- Liquidity stress. Over $250 million in crypto liquidations points to heightened sensitivity to price swings, especially in leveraged positions.
The coming days will likely be defined by macro data releases and any further political developments surrounding the Federal Reserve. Until a clear catalyst emerges, the crypto market may continue its current pattern of low volatility and limited price movement, while investors keep an eye on the ongoing precious‑metal rally for clues about broader risk appetite.
Source: https://thedefiant.io/news/markets/crypto-markets-flat-metals-rally-jan-12-2026
