Bitcoin breaks past $90,000, prompting traders to reassess the prevailing price pattern.

Crypto-related assets, which were under heavy pressure in the closing days of 2025, are starting the new year on firmer footing as markets open 2026.

A recurring theme late last year was steady selling during U.S. trading hours, with digital assets often retreating as American markets came online. Early action in the first official session of 2026, however, hints at a possible change, with cryptocurrencies advancing alongside U.S. equities.

Bitcoin climbed back above the $90,000 threshold, rising 2.5% over the past 24 hours to around $93,400. Ether advanced nearly 4% to about $3,160, while solana and XRP also posted gains of roughly 4%.

Broader markets opened the year higher as well. The Nasdaq rose 0.6%, driven by strength in AI-focused chipmakers such as Nvidia, Broadcom, Micron, and Intel, which gained between 3% and 6%. Commodities also moved higher, led by a 3% jump in silver, while gold and copper posted modest increases.

Shares of bitcoin miners that have increasingly positioned themselves as AI infrastructure providers surged across the board. Hut 8, CleanSpark, and TeraWulf jumped about 10%, while Cipher Mining and IREN climbed roughly 8%.

Elsewhere in the sector, Strategy and Coinbase gained more than 3%, Galaxy Digital rose 7%, and Circle Financial added approximately 4.5%.