Bitcoin Tops $91K as Crypto Market Extends Early 2026 Rally on Risk-On Sentiment

Bitcoin surged above the $91,000 level on Sunday, extending an early 2026 rebound across the broader cryptocurrency market as traders embraced renewed risk appetite. The rally lifted major digital assets including ether, solana, XRP, and cardano, with gains supported by short liquidations, improving market structure, and heightened geopolitical headlines linked to Venezuela.

During Asian morning trading hours, bitcoin was changing hands near $91,300, up roughly 1.4% on the day and more than 4% over the past week. Ethereum followed with a near 1% daily rise to around $3,150, bringing its seven-day gain to approximately 7%. Solana climbed about 1.6% on Sunday and has advanced more than 8% over the week, while XRP hovered just above $2, posting close to 10% weekly gains. Cardano also edged higher and is up roughly 8% over the same period.

The latest move came after a sharp liquidation event that flushed out crowded futures positioning and reset short-term leverage across crypto derivatives markets. According to market data, nearly $180 million in crypto futures positions were liquidated in the last 24 hours. Short positions accounted for about $133 million of that total, compared with $47 million from longs, highlighting how traders positioned against the rally were forced to cover as prices pushed higher.

Geopolitical developments also contributed to the improved risk tone. Traders reacted to rapidly evolving news out of Venezuela after U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States plans to “run” Venezuela, with a particular focus on the country’s oil resources. Venezuela’s Supreme Court granted Vice President Delcy Rodríguez acting presidential powers following the detention of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. authorities.

While crypto markets often treat geopolitical headlines as volatility catalysts rather than direct macro drivers, such events can influence sentiment, especially during periods of thinner liquidity. In these conditions, even modest spot buying can push prices through key technical levels, triggering stop-driven moves and accelerating gains through forced short covering.