BTC, SHIB, PEPE, NEAR MOVE HIGHER AMID CHANGING GLOBAL LANDSCAPE

Crypto prices moved higher today, with Bitcoin and several major altcoins posting gains as market sentiment improved and geopolitical developments in Venezuela encouraged a stronger risk appetite.

Total cryptocurrency market capitalization increased by about 1% to $3.23 trillion, based on market data. Bitcoin was trading near $92,436 at the time of writing, up 1.1% over the past 24 hours. Major altcoins, including Ethereum, XRP, BNB, and Solana, also recorded modest gains, largely following Bitcoin as broader market conditions steadied.

Smaller tokens outperformed the wider market. Pepe surged around 10% to $0.057, while Shiba Inu gained roughly 6% to trade near $0.0587. Near Protocol also climbed about 6% to approximately $1.77, signaling renewed interest in higher-volatility assets.

Overall sentiment showed mild improvement. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index rose by one point to 26, remaining in the “Fear” zone but suggesting traders are becoming slightly more willing to take on risk.

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Activity in derivatives markets increased as well. Data from CoinGlass showed liquidations jumped 39% to $360 million, while open interest rose 0.87% to $139 billion. This trend suggests fresh positions are entering the market rather than moves driven solely by short covering. Meanwhile, the average crypto relative strength index stood at 58, indicating neutral market momentum.

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What’s Driving Today’s Crypto Gains

Today’s market gains appear to be supported by several factors. Geopolitical developments in Venezuela have increased expectations of market volatility, which traders often view as favorable for cryptocurrencies. Stronger spot demand also emerged alongside reports of recent U.S. actions related to Venezuelan leadership, helping Bitcoin move above the $91,000–$93,000 range and lifting major altcoins.

Seasonal trends are contributing as well. Selling pressure tied to year-end portfolio adjustments has largely faded as January gets underway. At the same time, liquidity is returning to markets following the holiday period. This early-year reset has historically encouraged fresh investment into higher-risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.

Institutional participation continues to provide additional support. Over the past week, spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds saw inflows of approximately $456 million, while spot Ether ETFs attracted around $160 million, according to data from SoSoValue. These inflows suggest that large investors are increasing exposure to crypto assets despite recent price volatility.

Short-Term Outlook and Analyst Perspectives

Analyst opinions remain divided on the near-term direction of the crypto market. Some caution that softer macroeconomic data could trigger consolidation or brief pullbacks, while others believe prices may continue to trend higher as long as key technical support levels remain intact.

Choppy Trading Expected in Early January

Market analyst Ben Cowen, known for identifying previous market cycle tops, anticipates uneven and volatile trading in early January. However, he notes that conditions could improve if Bitcoin manages to hold support in the low $90,000 range, adding that heightened volatility may persist before a clearer trend develops.

Bullish Views From Fundstrat and ARK Invest

Fundstrat’s Tom Lee takes a more optimistic stance, suggesting that if historical January patterns repeat, early-year momentum combined with steady institutional inflows could push Bitcoin higher. While acknowledging broader macroeconomic risks, Lee has outlined near-term upside scenarios reaching as high as $150,000.

ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood has also shared a positive outlook. She highlights increasing institutional adoption and Bitcoin’s relatively lower volatility compared with technology stocks as factors that could support a move toward new highs in the first quarter.

Caution From Veteran Traders

On the more cautious side, veteran trader Peter Brandt has warned that a breakdown below current support levels could lead to a sharper correction. In a negative shift in market sentiment, he believes Bitcoin could fall toward the mid-$40,000 range.

Range-Bound Expectations Remain

Overall, many analysts expect Bitcoin to remain range-bound in the near term, trading roughly between $88,000 and $95,000. While upcoming macroeconomic data is likely to keep volatility elevated, continued inflows into Bitcoin ETFs could support further attempts to move higher.