2026 first week of the year, the crypto market has already delivered an unexpected surprise. **Market rebound exceeds expectations** Bitcoin has surged past the $90,000 mark, currently oscillating between $90,100 and $90,200, with a 24-hour increase of over 1.7%. Ethereum also performed well, staying above $3,100. More notably, XRP temporarily surpassed BNB to become the third-largest coin, and the total market capitalization has rebroken the $3.1 trillion level. This rebound broke the curse of "crashing at open" seen at the end of last year, and market sentiment has gradually shifted from extreme fear to cautious optimism. **Fundamentals show a clear turnaround** On the first full trading day of 2026, institutional fund movements tell the most. Bitcoin spot ETF saw a net inflow of about $471 million in a single day, while Ethereum spot ETF had a net inflow of $174.5 million, totaling over $600 million. What does this number mean? It indicates that the outflow wave at the end of last year has reversed, and large funds are quietly re-entering the market. From panic buying to institutional follow-up, this is often a hallmark signal of a bull market starting. **Regulatory outlook continues to improve** On the policy front, the Clarity Act is expected to enter the Senate voting stage in Q1, and the stablecoin framework GENIUS Act is likely to take effect officially by mid-year. The advancement of these regulatory frameworks suggests that barriers for institutional entry are gradually being removed. Ilya Lichtenstein, who gained attention due to the Bitfinex hack, was released early and publicly expressed gratitude for related criminal reform measures—marking, to some extent, the end of that chapter and a move toward a more mature governance stage for the industry. **Diverging analyst opinions reflect market expectations** Market views are diverging. Optimists are calling for new highs of $150,000–$250,000, while conservatives are guarding against a correction to $50,000–$80,000. But the mainstream sentiment remains optimistic—possible Fed rate cuts, dollar depreciation trends, and institutional inflows all point to the possibility of Bitcoin returning to historic highs in Q1. The stablecoin narrative is also heating up, with predictions that the stablecoin market cap could double in 2026, potentially accounting for 30% of international payments. **What signals does the technical analysis reveal?** From a technical perspective, volatility has compressed to historic lows, and Bollinger Bands are tightening. This means a major move is imminent—markets are gathering strength, and once a catalyst appears, a breakout from the consolidation zone is likely. Now is not the time to be scared off by short-term fluctuations; on the contrary, this is a phase of patience and accumulation. **What will 2026 look like?** The macro environment is shifting, regulatory frameworks are improving, and institutional funds are flowing back—these factors combined suggest that 2026 could be defined as a structurally driven bull market led by institutions. Those who held firm at the lows are waiting for this moment to arrive.

Cryptocurrency markets stirred this morning. A major exchange launched a "Enhanced Monitoring" mechanism on four tokens. After the news broke, investors holding XRP, DOGE, and other coins began to verify—could this be a signal of upcoming changes? As an industry observer with 8 years of experience, today I will clarify this matter thoroughly and also discuss how to respond. **First, what is the core event?** This action by the exchange is not a minor matter. What does the "Enhanced Monitoring" on these four tokens imply? Simply put: increased trading thresholds, intensified liquidity scrutiny, and upgraded risk assessment of holdings. To put it plainly, it's like a shopping mall issuing a "rectification notice" to certain stores—either they meet standards quickly or face removal. Once removed, subsequent foot traffic and trading volume will drop sharply. For new investors entering the market, this change might seem insignificant. But for those who have experienced several cycles, such signals often foreshadow upcoming risks. **How significant is the market impact of this move?** My assessment is threefold: First, short-term volatility will amplify, but this is not an "end-of-the-world" signal. The tokens flagged will inevitably experience intense fluctuations—panic selling, surge in stop-loss orders—these are unavoidable. But it’s important to see clearly: enhanced monitoring ≠ direct delisting. It’s more like the exchange "warning the tiger by knocking the mountain"—a warning to these tokens and a signal to other small coins. To some extent, clearing out low-liquidity, fundamentally weak tokens is actually beneficial for the overall health of the market. Second, liquidity is the fundamental reason these four tokens are targeted. Why these specific ones? The answer lies in liquidity. The market is flooded with tokens lacking sufficient liquidity—shallow trading depth, wide bid-ask spreads—making them prone to slippage under selling pressure. The exchange’s intensified monitoring is essentially a filtering process—retaining projects with ample liquidity and relatively solid fundamentals, marginalizing "junk coins." Third, holders’ mindset will be tested. This is the most critical moment for mental resilience. If your holdings are relatively liquid and the community remains active, short-term fluctuations may not be bad—they could even be a chance for shakeout. Conversely, if your tokens are already in a "mismatch" state—low trading volume, vague use cases, dormant community—then now is the time for serious reflection. **Practical operational suggestions** Step one: Review your holdings. Check if any of the flagged tokens are part of your portfolio. If yes, examine recent on-chain activity, wallet concentration, trading pair depth—data speaks volumes. Step two: Assess your risk tolerance. If this portion of your holdings exceeds 20% of your portfolio, gradually adjusting your positions is a reasonable choice. Not necessarily to exit completely, but to control risk through phased operations. Step three: Keep an eye on subsequent policy developments. Such measures by exchanges often trigger chain reactions. Other platforms may follow suit, and regulatory policies could adjust accordingly. Stay alert over the coming weeks. **Looking from another perspective** In fact, this wave of enhanced monitoring also reflects that the crypto market is maturing. The wild growth era of early years is over. Now, exchanges and regulators are raising risk control standards. This is good news for serious project teams but a blow to coins maintained solely through hype. In the long run, this process will lead to a healthier market. So, rather than panic, it’s better to seize this opportunity to clean up your investment portfolio—retain projects with solid fundamentals and sufficient liquidity, and decisively cut losses on problematic coins. The market always weeds out the weak; the law of survival of the fittest has never changed.