Bitcoin Tops $91,000 With Ether, Dogecoin Higher Amid U.S. Action on Venezuela

January 5, 2026 3 Min Read

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Bitcoin tops $91,000 as the crypto market extended its early-2026 rebound, with ether, dogecoin, and other major tokens posting broad gains amid heightened geopolitical developments involving Venezuela and the United States.

The rally reflects a mix of short liquidations, improving risk sentiment, and thin market liquidity, which together pushed prices above key technical levels.

Bitcoin Breaks Above $91,000 as Market Momentum Builds

Bitcoin climbed above $91,000 on Sunday, trading around $91,300 during Asian morning hours, according to market data. The world’s largest cryptocurrency rose about 1.4% on the day and more than 4% over the past seven days, signaling renewed bullish momentum after last week’s volatility reset.

The move came as traders extended gains across major digital assets, following a sharp liquidation event that cleared crowded futures positioning and reduced near-term leverage.

Ether, Dogecoin, and Altcoins Post Weekly Gains

Bitcoin was not alone in the rally. Several top cryptocurrencies recorded notable gains:

Ether (ETH) rose roughly 1% to around $3,150, up nearly 7% over the past week
Solana (SOL) gained about 1.6%, extending its 7-day rise to over 8%
XRP hovered just above $2, up 0.6% on the day and almost 10% for the week
Cardano (ADA) posted modest daily gains and climbed about 8% over seven days
Dogecoin (DOGE) also traded higher, benefiting from the broader risk-on tone in crypto markets

The broad participation suggests renewed confidence among traders rather than a Bitcoin-only move.

Liquidation Flush Clears the Path Higher

The rally followed a significant liquidation flush in derivatives markets.

Data shows that approximately $180 million in futures positions were liquidated over the past 24 hours:

$133 million from short positions
$47 million from long positions

The imbalance indicates that many traders were positioned against the rally. As prices pushed higher, forced short covering accelerated gains, turning what might have been a gradual rise into a sharper breakout.

Related:

Venezuela Headlines Add to Risk Appetite

Sunday’s gains also coincided with rapidly evolving political developments in Venezuela, which traders treated as a short-term volatility catalyst.

U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States plans to “run” Venezuela, while offering limited clarity on the scope of involvement. Venezuela’s Supreme Court granted Vice President Delcy Rodríguez acting presidential powers after former President Nicolás Maduro was taken into U.S. custody.

Trump also signaled U.S. interest in Venezuela’s oil sector, stating that the U.S. would maintain a “presence” related to oil without necessarily deploying troops.

While crypto markets do not typically respond directly to such geopolitical events, risk sentiment and liquidity conditions often influence short-term price action.

Why Thin Liquidity Matters in Crypto Rallies

In periods of thinner liquidity, even moderate spot buying can push prices through key resistance levels. When combined with leveraged short positioning, this environment can trigger stop-driven moves in futures markets.

This dynamic explains why Bitcoin’s push above $91,000 quickly translated into gains across ether and major altcoins, reinforcing bullish momentum in the short term.