Cryptocurrencies Rise To Begin The New Year

%Bitcoin (CRYPTO: $BTC), the largest crypto by market capitalization, is up 2% on Jan. 2 and trading at $96,300 U.S.

%Ethereum (CRYPTO: $ETH), the second biggest cryptocurrency, is up 3% and trading at $3,450 U.S. to start 2025.

Smaller cryptocurrencies are seeing even bigger gains, with %Solana (CRYPTO: $SOL) up 7%, %Dogecoin (CRYPTO: $DOGE) up 4%, and XRP (CRYPTO: $XRP) up as much as 11% in early trading.

The rise to begin the new trading year appears to be fueled by continued anticipation of a more crypto-friendly administration under incoming U.S. president Donald Trump.

Trump has promised crypto-friendly legislation and to develop a strategic Bitcoin reserve for the U.S. government.

Analysts remain bullish on the outlook for crypto, with firms such as Galaxy Research predicting large-scale institutional, corporate, and state adoption of Bitcoin and other cryptos in 2025.

Galaxy Research is forecasting that Bitcoin’s price will rise to $185,000 U.S. this year and that Ethereum’s price will top $5,500 U.S.

The continued popularity of spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track the price of Bitcoin and Ethereum also remain a catalyst for cryptocurrencies, say analysts.

Many analysts are forecasting additional spot crypto ETFs in coming years, including potentially for Solana and Cardano (ADA).

Bitcoin’s price rose a little more than 110% in 2024, outpacing gains in equities.

MENAFN02012025007606016353ID1109050564