The cryptocurrency market has just delivered a impressive report card right after the New Year. Bitcoin opened at $87,500 on January 1st, quickly surged and stabilized around $90,000, marking a strong start for 2026. Ethereum also performed remarkably well, starting at $2,970 on January 1st and reaching above $3,100 by the 3rd, clearly outperforming the broader market—suggesting the possible entry of institutional funds behind the scenes. Even more interesting is XRP's performance over these three days, with the highest gains, even breaking the $2 mark, briefly surpassing BNB to become the third-largest cryptocurrency. The shift in regulatory expectations has evidently given this old player new vitality. Projects like ENA, ADA, and SUI surged over 10% within 24 hours, and the rotation among established altcoins and Meme coins remains hot, with funds flexibly switching between different sectors. Institutional views are also quite consistent—most analysts are optimistic about Bitcoin's outlook for 2026, generally expecting it to reach $150,000, with some even calling for $250,000. Considering the approximately $30.7 billion in crypto assets held by the US government (97% of which is BTC), it’s clear they are betting on it. Geopolitical changes are also playing a role behind the scenes. Some actions by the US government are interpreted by the market as an effort to strengthen the dollar system, which in turn boosts the market’s demand for cryptocurrencies as a safe-haven asset. The start of the new year has been so fierce—what will the subsequent story look like?