The first week of 2026 has opened with a strong risk-on shift, rising leverage, and renewed sentiment around ETH, XRP, and emerging payment-focused crypto projects like Remittix.

The first trading week of 2026 has officially kicked off, and the charts are already lighting up. Those who have been scouring Twitter or refreshing CoinDesk know the sentiment has shifted aggressively from holiday stagnation to “risk-on” accumulation. On-chain information of CoinGlass points to a large increase in leverage, with the signal indicating traders are gearing toward a breakout.

Ethereum and XRP are also showing significant bullish patterns indicative of a huge breakout. However, smart money isn’t just looking at the top ten. There is a palpable shift in focus toward utility-heavy assets that solve actual payment problems. 

While Ethereum battles for dominance and the XRP price tries to break resistance, a rapidly growing PayFi project has stolen the spotlight with a massive New Year update. Analysts are noting that while legacy coins offer safety, the real alpha in 2026 lies in projects bridging the gap between crypto wallets and real-world bank accounts. Let’s find out more.

Ethereum: Is the giant waking up?

Ethereum’s rise above the psychological mark of $3,000 has reinforced the short-term positive perspective of the token. Having passed $3,050 and $3,120, ETH shot up to $3,218, only to start a phase of flatness. This break is not fragile but rather constructive as the price is holding over $3,100 and the 100-hour moving average.

The fact that an upward trend line average has developed at approximately $3,120 is a sign that buyers still have control. As long as this support block remains, the arrangement is an extension move, and the resistance band would be assumed to be at $3,200-$3,250. The break above $3,250 would most likely cause the shift of the momentum towards the $3,350-$3,500 range.

Fundamental metrics from CoinMarketCap’s community section reinforce this optimism. Layer 2 networks charge gas at an all-time low, which is making users come back to the ecosystem. Nevertheless, there is a strict competition with Ethereum. Although Ethereum is still the king of smart contracts, its price performance tends to lag behind low-cap gems.

In the year 2026, traders who have bet 10x on Ethereum in the first quarter may be disappointed because its huge market capitalization will not easily allow such a blowout growth. Nonetheless, Ethereum is an anchor that cannot be compromised in the case of a balanced portfolio.

XRP price analysis: The coil before the spring

The price pattern of XRP has become positive as the currency has regained the lost $2.00-$2.02 support and broken past the $2.10 mark with a slight recovery to the $2.165 level, indicating the resurgence of purchasing interest. The fact that XRP can sustain above a spike of $2.10 and the 100-hour moving average is what is notable, with a positive trendline approaching $2.07.

This building indicates that buyers are protecting higher levels, and momentum is maintained. A strong move above the $2.165 mark may easily encourage a continuation to the $2.18, $2.20 level, and a strong move would extend the trend to the $2.25-$2.32 level. According to reports, the percentage of the supply was the highest in three years in the wallets of whales, which is a definite indication of an insider who bets on the rise of the XRP price.

However, the XRP price is notoriously stubborn. While Ripple’s legal clarity provides a safety net, the XRP price often lags behind the broader market during the early stages of a bull run. Investors are watching the $2.50 level closely; a clean break there could send the XRP price into discovery mode, but rejection could mean more chop.

Remittix: The new year’s breakout star

While the giants sleep, Remittix is starting 2026 with absolute aggression. The project has just verified that its game-changing PayFi platform is coming out on February 9th, 2026, and the wallet is already available on the App Store. And then the actual news is the reinstatement of the bonus everybody demanded.

Start the new year with a bang, the 200% Remittix bonus is back!

The Remittix community asked, and the team listened. The 200% Bonus that completely SOLD OUT in days last time has returned, but only 5,000,000 tokens have been allocated for this New Year round. This is a good opportunity to build serious momentum at the start of 2026. Promo code RTX2026 is applicable to get the bonus on checkout. No extensions, no reopens, once the 5M allocation is filled, it’s gone.

With over $28.6 million raised, Remittix is proving it’s not just hype:

• Global reach: Send crypto directly to bank accounts in 30+ countries.
• Real-world utility: Built for actual use, not just speculation.
• Security first: CertiK, which is among the top blockchain security firms, audited here.
• Utility and real-world usage: Launches with 40+ cryptos and 30+ fiat currencies.
• Momentum: Whales are loading in advance of the platform on the 9th of Feb.

To learn more about Remittix, visit the official website and socials.

Frequently asked questions

1. Which is the most appropriate cryptocurrency to purchase nowadays?

Ethereum is the better bet, but where it could grow high, the Remittix presale is better in terms of the risk-reward value.

2. What cryptocurrencies are the most likely to grow?

Such projects, which have utility releases in the future, such as Remittix (PayFi), tend to beat inert assets such as the current XRP price.

3. How do I find new crypto projects early?

Looking for “Bonus Rounds” and confirmed app launches, Remittix currently has both active.

4. What returns can investors expect from early-stage projects?

If the XRP price is 2x, early presale tokens like RTX can often see 10x-50x returns upon listing.

5. Is now a good time to invest in crypto?

Yes, Ethereum signals are bullish, and presale bonuses (RTX2026) offer immediate value capture.