Entering 2026 with considerable momentum, Bitcoin exceeded the $90,000 mark, underscoring renewed investor interest in the leading cryptocurrency. This price appreciation emerged even as notable investment vehicles such as spot Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) registered net outflows during the week, indicating complex dynamics between direct asset pricing and institutional flows.
The broader cryptocurrency market displayed parallel strength, with altcoins including Ethereum, Dogecoin, and XRP experiencing meaningful price rallies. These movements reflect sustained engagement from market participants early in the year.
Iran's Utilization of Cryptocurrency in Defense Transactions
Amid ongoing economic and geopolitical pressures, Iran is reportedly leveraging digital currencies to facilitate the sale of advanced weapons systems. According to information linked to the Iranian Ministry of Defence Export Center (Mindex), the state-operated agency responsible for foreign military dealings, the country is prepared to negotiate contracts denominated in cryptocurrencies.
This strategic pivot towards digital asset payments represents an effort to circumvent Western-led financial sanctions that have constrained traditional monetary transactions. The move highlights the expanded role cryptocurrencies continue to play in international trade, particularly in contexts of economic isolation.
Industry Voices and Market Speculation
Michael Saylor, the executive chairman of Strategy Inc., attracted market attention through remarks that indicated Bitcoin adds an element of interest to the company's equity profile. Nonetheless, market speculation surfaces in parallel; traders on the Polymarket platform have placed significant bets, with 76% wagering that the company may be removed from the MSCI index by the end of the first quarter of 2026. These diverging signals underscore the complex investor sentiment surrounding firms linked closely with cryptocurrency assets.
FBI Reports Sharp Increase in Bitcoin ATM Scam Activity
The Federal Bureau of Investigation disclosed troubling data concerning an escalation in fraudulent activities involving Bitcoin automated teller machines. In the year 2025 alone, scammers reportedly defrauded U.S. citizens of over $300 million through various schemes connected to Bitcoin ATMs.
The FBI characterized the trend as a “clear and constant rise” in illicit transactions involving cryptocurrency kiosks, signaling increased vulnerability in this sector of the digital asset ecosystem. The agency’s findings emphasize the ongoing risks consumers face within emerging financial technologies and the need for enhanced security measures.
Memecoin Market Dynamics at the Start of 2026
Memecoin enthusiasts observed a robust entry into the new year as key tokens recorded substantial price appreciation on New Year's Day. Notably, the frog-themed token Pepe commanded attention with a 26% increase from the previous day's value, securing its position as the top large-cap memecoin gainer.
Following Pepe, Solana-based Bonk attained a 12% uptick, demonstrating the continuing appeal and volatility of memecoins within the cryptocurrency space. These gains contribute to the evolving landscape where social media-driven tokens maintain a distinctive influence on market behavior.
Overall, the opening stages of 2026 revealed a multifaceted cryptocurrency environment characterized by significant price movements, emerging geopolitical uses of digital currencies, regulatory attention to scamming activities, and ongoing social token market participation.