The crypto world isn't wasting any time in 2026. Bitcoin blasted through the $90,000 mark this week, leading a broad rally across major tokens that has traders feeling optimistic about the year ahead. But that wasn't the only headline grabbing attention in the digital currency space.
Bitcoin Breaks $90,000 Despite ETF Headwinds
Bitcoin started the year with serious momentum, climbing past $90,000 in a move that caught some market watchers by surprise. What makes this rally particularly interesting? It happened even as spot Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds recorded net outflows during the same period. Ethereum, Dogecoin, and XRP also posted significant gains, suggesting broad-based enthusiasm among crypto investors as the new year begins.
Iran Turns to Crypto for Weapons Deals
Here's where things get geopolitically complicated. Iran is reportedly leveraging cryptocurrency to sidestep Western financial sanctions, offering advanced weapons systems to foreign governments in exchange for digital currencies. The country's state-run Ministry of Defence Export Center, known as Mindex, is apparently willing to negotiate military contracts that allow payment in crypto. It's a stark reminder that cryptocurrency's resistance to traditional financial controls cuts both ways, enabling transactions that governments have spent years trying to prevent.
Saylor's Bitcoin Bet Faces Market Skepticism
Michael Saylor, executive chairman of Strategy Inc., continues to champion Bitcoin's value proposition, recently stating that the cryptocurrency makes his company's stock "interesting." But prediction markets aren't quite buying it. Polymarket traders are placing 76% odds that Strategy Inc. gets removed from the MSCI index by March 31, suggesting the market remains divided on whether Saylor's aggressive Bitcoin accumulation strategy will pay off for shareholders.
FBI Warns of Bitcoin ATM Scam Epidemic
The Federal Bureau of Investigation dropped some sobering statistics this week: scammers bilked Americans out of more than $300 million through Bitcoin ATM fraud in 2025. The agency reported observing a "clear and constant rise" in fraudulent transactions involving cryptocurrency kiosks. These scams typically involve convincing victims to deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs under false pretenses, making the money nearly impossible to recover once converted to cryptocurrency.
Memecoins Rally to Start the Year
Don't look now, but memecoins are having a moment. These speculative tokens kicked off 2026 with impressive gains that reminded traders why they became so popular in the first place. Frog-themed Pepe led the charge with a 26% jump from the previous day, topping the large-cap memecoin gainers list. Solana-based Bonk wasn't far behind, posting a 12% gain on New Year's Day. Whether this momentum continues remains to be seen, but memecoin enthusiasts are certainly starting the year with something to celebrate.