Introduction
Bitcoin has remained range-bound near $90,500 over the weekend, failing to break out of a tight trading band. While most major altcoins have also been sluggish, a few notable gainers like XMR and RAIN have posted double-digit weekly increases. The total crypto market cap holds steady around $3.18 trillion as investors await the next catalyst.
Key Points
- Bitcoin's price has been range-bound between $90,000 and $91,000 over the weekend, with a market cap of $1.81 trillion and dominance near 57%.
- Weekly top gainers include POL (+44%), SUI, and TAO, while ZEC and CC are among the biggest losers with double-digit declines.
- The total cryptocurrency market capitalization remains stable at around $3.18 trillion, reflecting overall sideways momentum despite selective altcoin movements.
Bitcoin's Consolidation After a Volatile Start to 2026
Bitcoin entered 2026 after a controversial 2025 that ended in negative territory, but quickly began to regain value. The asset surged past the key $90,000 level on the second day of the new year, demonstrating resilience even amid geopolitical tension between the United States and Venezuela. The bullish momentum continued into the following week, pushing BTC to a new multi-week peak of just under $95,000 on Monday and Tuesday.
However, after gaining roughly $7,000 in just days, a correction was imminent. Bitcoin slipped by approximately $5,000 over 36 hours, dipping below $89,500. It found support and quickly rebounded back above $90,000, where it has remained since Friday after being rejected at the $92,000 level. The past 24 hours have seen particularly dull trading, with BTC hovering around $90,500 without significant deviation.
This price stagnation has kept Bitcoin’s market capitalization sideways at $1.810 trillion. Its dominance over the altcoin market remains just shy of 57%, indicating that while Bitcoin consolidates, it continues to command a majority share of the total cryptocurrency market valuation.
Weekly Altcoin Performance: POL Leads Gainers, ZEC and CC Tumble
While the broader market has been sluggish, a few altcoins have posted notable weekly gains. POL has been the standout performer, rocketing by 44% since last Sunday to reach $0.17. SUI and TAO have also charted significant gains, contributing to a mixed performance landscape across the altcoin sector.
Over the past 24 hours, XMR and RAIN have been the only notable price gainers among larger-cap assets. Their performance extends to the weekly timeframe as well, with both assets surging by double digits. XMR reached $493, while RAIN climbed to $0.009.
In contrast, several assets have experienced substantial declines. ZEC and CC have plunged by double digits, leading the weekly losers. They are followed by DOGE, MNT, UNI, and HBAR, all of which have posted notable losses over the past seven days, highlighting the selective and divergent momentum within the altcoin market.
Market Overview and Awaiting the Next Catalyst
The total cryptocurrency market capitalization has remained essentially flat, holding at around $3.180 trillion. This stability reflects the overall sideways momentum that has characterized the market over the weekend, with Bitcoin’s stagnation at the $90,000-$91,000 range setting the tone.
The current market dynamic suggests a period of consolidation and equilibrium following Bitcoin’s rapid ascent and subsequent correction in early January. Investors appear to be digesting recent price movements and assessing the impact of external factors, including the noted geopolitical context, before committing to a new directional trend.
With Bitcoin’s dominance near 57% and the total market cap stable, the focus shifts to whether select altcoin movements, like those seen in POL, XMR, and RAIN, can develop into broader sector strength, or if the market remains dependent on Bitcoin breaking decisively out of its current tight range to provide the next major catalyst.
📎 Related coverage from: cryptopotato.com
