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BTC: Monthly close around 66,422 USDT | -9.7% monthly change
Monthly high: 74,139 USDT
Monthly low: 65,384 USDT
ETH: Around 1,942 USDT | -9.9% monthly change
Fear & Greed Index: 12 — Extreme Fear
Total stablecoin market cap: ~$84.5B (new ATH)
Notable growth areas: Prediction markets & Real World Asset (RWA) tokenization
💡 Market Dynamics — Professional Perspective
Throughout January, Bitcoin and Ethereum experienced sustained selling pressure, driven by liquidity outflows and deleveraging across derivatives markets. The sharp decline triggered widespread liquidation of leveraged long positions, accelerating downside volatility.
Despite this backdrop, two themes clearly diverged from the broader market weakness:
1️⃣ Prediction Markets & RWA Tokenization
While most sectors struggled, RWA-focused projects and prediction markets showed relative resilience. These areas continue to benefit from stronger institutional interest and clearer real-world utility, attracting longer-term capital even during risk-off conditions.
2️⃣ Institutional Activity & ETF Influence
Interest in Bitcoin spot ETFs remained firm, with the majority of ETP activity still concentrated on BTC. This suggests that institutional participants are maintaining a long-term, structurally driven outlook, partially offsetting short-term retail-driven volatility.
📉 Short-Term Market Stress (Last 24 Hours — Contextual Insight)
Elevated BTC and ETH trading volumes were largely driven by:
Forced liquidations of leveraged positions
Panic-driven spot selling
Breaks below key psychological support levels
Approximately $14.3B in long positions were liquidated, indicating a rapid unwinding of excess risk rather than organic distribution.
Historically, such volume spikes tend to reflect stress release phases, not trend confirmation.
🎯 Strategic Considerations (Not Investment Advice)
In high-uncertainty environments, limiting leverage exposure is critical.
For long-term participants, gradual position building may be more appropriate than aggressive entries, particularly in BTC and ETH.
While majors remain the core of market structure, RWA, prediction markets, and stablecoin infrastructure stood out as some of the few resilient segments in January.
Platforms offering broad liquidity and diversified product access can provide flexibility during volatile periods.
⚠️ Risk Notice
Tight liquidity conditions, weakened sentiment, and ongoing regulatory uncertainty continue to elevate short-term volatility. “Extreme Fear” phases often amplify emotional decision-making. Discipline, capital preservation, and structured risk management remain essential.
🧭 Final Takeaway
January 2026 delivered a clear message:
Market sentiment weakened sharply, but innovation and infrastructure momentum did not disappear.
Periods like this are less about short-term price action and more about identifying which sectors continue to function under stress.
📌 This content is for informational and analytical purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.