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Bitcoin and major altcoins extended their gains on January 14, as traders reacted to cooling U.S. inflation data and growing momentum behind the CLARITY Act, a long-awaited U.S. crypto market structure bill.
The combination of easing inflation pressure, shifting rate expectations, and improving regulatory clarity helped lift risk appetite across digital assets, pushing Bitcoin above $95,000 and triggering sharp moves across select altcoins.
Market snapshot (Jan. 14)
Bitcoin traded above $95,500, extending a three-day advance
Ethereum held firm above $3,300
Total crypto market cap rose toward $3.25 trillion
Crypto Fear & Greed Index climbed into the mid-40s, still neutral but improving
Cooling U.S. inflation boosts risk assets
A key catalyst for the rally was the latest U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which reinforced expectations that inflation pressures continue to ease.
Headline CPI: 2.7% year-over-year (unchanged)
Core CPI: 2.6%, down from 2.7%
Monthly CPI: 0.3% for both headline and core, in line with forecasts
The data suggested that recent tariff measures have not materially reaccelerated inflation, while falling gasoline prices and easing mortgage rates point to further moderation ahead.
Lower inflation strengthens the case for Federal Reserve rate cuts later in 2026, a backdrop that has historically supported risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.
Gold also rallied alongside Bitcoin, underscoring continued demand for inflation hedges even as price pressures soften.
CLARITY Act progress lifts regulatory sentiment
Crypto prices also drew support from developments in Washington, where lawmakers advanced the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025, commonly referred to as the CLARITY Act.
The bill aims to:
Clarify the regulatory split between the SEC and CFTC
Place most non-security digital assets under CFTC oversight
Reduce uncertainty around token issuance and secondary market trading
The Senate Banking Committee published the bill text, with markup scheduled later this week before it advances toward a full Senate vote.
For market participants, the move signals a potential shift away from regulation-by-enforcement toward a more predictable framework — a long-standing demand from institutional investors.
Bitcoin pushes higher as positioning improves
Bitcoin climbed above $95,000, breaking out of its recent consolidation range as futures open interest rose above $138 billion.
BTC has traded within a broad $88,500–$95,500 range over the past week
Sustained strength above $94,000–$95,000 could open the door toward $98,000–$100,000
Key downside support remains near $91,000, followed by $89,800
Despite the breakout, trading volumes remain moderate, suggesting the move is driven more by positioning shifts and macro relief than speculative excess.

Altcoins diverge as capital rotates
Altcoin performance was mixed but active:
Gainers
Monero (XMR) surged sharply amid renewed privacy-coin interest
Dash (DASH) posted outsized gains on speculative momentum
Select mid-cap tokens outperformed on rotation flows
Lagging majors
XRP underperformed after strong early-year gains
Dogecoin (DOGE) and Cardano (ADA) remained under pressure on a weekly basis
This dispersion reflects a market still in rotation mode, rather than a broad-based altcoin season.
ETF flows remain constructive
U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded fresh net inflows, reinforcing institutional participation even as price volatility persists.
BTC ETF cumulative inflows continued to climb
ETH spot ETFs posted modest but positive net flows
ETF ownership now represents a meaningful share of circulating supply
Flows remain uneven across issuers, but overall demand continues to act as a structural support for the market.
Sentiment improves, but caution remains
Crypto sentiment has lifted from late-2025 lows but remains far from euphoric.
Fear & Greed Index: ~45 (neutral)
Traders remain cautious after November’s sharp sell-off
Positioning suggests accumulation rather than leverage-driven chasing
This restraint may help reduce downside volatility, even as upside momentum builds.
What traders are watching next
Key near-term catalysts include:
Further U.S. inflation and labor market data
Federal Reserve guidance on rate timing
Senate progress on the CLARITY Act
Whether Bitcoin can hold above $95,000 on daily closes
For now, the rally reflects a macro relief move supported by improving regulatory signals — not a full risk-on surge, but a meaningful shift from defensive positioning.
Bitcoin and altcoins are rising today as cooling inflation, rate-cut expectations, and regulatory progress converge. While volumes remain controlled and sentiment neutral, the market is responding positively to clearer macro and policy signals — a setup that could support further upside if momentum holds.
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