Bitcoin (BTC) held steady near the $91,000 level on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, as the broader cryptocurrency market awaited key US inflation data for directional cues. The leading cryptocurrency was down 0.9% over the previous 24 hours, trading at $91,026, reflecting a period of consolidation after recent gains. The total crypto market capitalization stood at $3.18 trillion, down 1.3%.
Market dynamics showed a selective rally within specific sectors. While major cryptocurrencies like Ethereum (ETH) and XRP saw modest declines, the AI-linked token sector extended its rebound, rising over 2%. Tokens such as Fetch.ai (FET), Bittensor (TAO), and Venice Token posted double-digit gains. The Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) sector also advanced alongside AI. In a standout move, privacy token Monero (XMR) surged nearly 18%, leading gains in its sector.
Macroeconomic factors dominated trader focus. The immediate catalyst is the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) report scheduled for release on January 13. This data is critical for shaping expectations around the Federal Reserve's interest rate path, with the central bank's next policy meeting set for January 27-28. Koinly CEO Robin Singh noted that Bitcoin appears to be at a crossroads, likely entering a period of consolidation for several months. He stated, "The US Fed Reserve potentially slashing rates may have some minor impact on price, especially if they do it in the earlier months of the year."
Global equity markets provided a mixed backdrop. In Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 index surged to a record high, climbing 3.6% to 53,814.79, fueled by a weaker yen and speculation of an early election. Meanwhile, Wall Street's S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at record highs overnight. Traders largely looked past news of a Justice Department criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell, which Powell has characterized as pressure to cut rates faster.
The market's performance reflects ongoing sector rotation, with DeFi and Layer 1 tokens posting modest upticks while CeFi, meme coins, and Layer 2 tokens underperformed, indicating a lack of broad market breakout momentum.
