BTC, ETH, HYPE, XLM…: Top 8 cryptocurrencies to watch in January

The first coffees of the year 2026 have an iron taste for investors who follow the price of cryptocurrencies. If the month of January is traditionally that of good resolutions that we end up forgetting, Wall Street seems to have made an irreversible decision. Between the official anointing of the big banks and a political reshuffle at the head of the Federal Reserve, the crypto landscape is not only moving: it is transforming.

However, behind the institutional glitter, the reality of the market remains that of a jungle where only the most informed survive. Some cryptocurrencies seem to be doing well. An inventory is necessary.

The Top 8 cryptos to follow in January

According to a recent analysis from BeinCrypto, also available on being crypto, we are entering a period of high technical tension. With a precise agenda of past and future events which could positively influence the price of certain cryptocurrencies. 8 are retained:

• Bitcoin (BTC) and the pivot comes from Bank of America. As of January 5, its armed arms (Merrill, Private Bank) can officially include 1% to 4% Bitcoin ETF in managed portfolios. This is the end of “purgatory” for the orange asset. This decision announced a few weeks ago and effective since Monday.
• Ethereum (ETH) : On January 7, the network activated the BPO-2 update. Less publicized than an ETF, it is nevertheless vital: it optimizes data management for Layer 2, making the ecosystem more fluid and less expensive.
• Hyperliquid (HYPE) : The protocol releases around 1.2 million tokens (or $330 million). In a market searching for direction, such an injection of liquidity is a major stress test.
• Stellar (XLM): The vote for Protocol 25 (X-Ray) on the testnet promises to bring native confidentiality (Zk-proofs). Stellar is trying to once again become the darling of financial institutions seeking discretion.
• The other forces present: Ethena (ENA) and Arbitrum (ARB) are facing massive unlocks (171M and 92M tokens respectively), while the BNB Chain prepares its Fermi hard fork for January 14 and Renzo (REZ) switches to an aggressive deflationary model by burning 90% of its fees.

Regulation and Macro: Is Uncle Sam becoming “Crypto-Friendly”?

Bank of America’s shift is not insignificant. By authorizing its 15,000 advisors actively recommend bitcointhe bank joins the very exclusive club of Morgan Stanley and BlackRock.

This paradigm shift comes as institutional detention has increased from 20% to 28% in a few months.

At the same time, eyes are turning to the White House. Donald Trump is expected to announce his nominee for chairman of the Federal Reserve around January 9. The name circulating, Kevin Hassett, makes supporters of risky assets shudder with joy. Known as “dovish” (favorable to a flexible monetary policy), Hassett advocates rapid rate cuts. More liquidity and a potentially weakened dollar are the perfect ingredients for an explosive cocktail on BTC and Ethereum. It’s the return of the “Fed Put”, but this time, it could directly benefit cryptocurrencies.

The cold shower: Why you shouldn’t give in to FOMO

This is where I put my pen to urge you to be careful. It is tempting to see this “Top 8”, and the others which abound on social networks and on Google, as a shopping list to become a millionaire before the end of the month. The reality is more nuanced.

First of all, remember that bitcoin is still -30% off its all-time high of $126,199. The market has lost $600 billion in capitalization since last October. The “good news” from Bank of America may already be priced in by those who knew.

Next, beware of token unlocks (HYPE, ARB, ENA). In finance, increasing supply without an explosion in demand inevitably leads to falling prices. A “significant” event means volatility, not necessarily an increase. Finally, the sector of second-tier altcoins (Small-caps) is currently in a deep slump, hitting lows that we have not seen since 2020.