Crypto Surges as January Capital Floods In—All Eyes Now on US Jobs Data, Says Laser Digital
Crypto markets just got their first major adrenaline shot of the year. A wave of fresh capital hit digital assets in early January, sparking a broad-based rally that has traders buzzing and screens glowing green.
Where's the money coming from?
New year, new allocations. Institutional and retail investors alike are deploying dry powder held over from the year-end—positioning for what many believe will be another bullish cycle. It's the classic January effect, but on crypto steroids.
The looming macro moment
Don't get too comfortable. The party's next guest is hard economic data. This rally faces its first major test with the imminent U.S. jobs report. Strong numbers could spook markets with fears of prolonged hawkish policy; weak data might fuel hopes for earlier rate cuts. Crypto's fate, as usual, is tied to the Fed's next move—a sobering reminder that decentralized dreams still dance to a centralized beat.
Trader psychology in play
The surge isn't just about fundamentals. It's a momentum play. Early buying begets more buying, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy of gains. Fear of missing out (FOMO) is creeping back into chatrooms and trading desks, pushing prices beyond what cold, hard analysis might justify.
So enjoy the rally while it lasts. But keep one eye on the economic calendar. In crypto, you're not just trading technology—you're betting on the whims of monetary policymakers who still think a blockchain is something you use to secure a bicycle. The jobs report drops Friday. Volatility is guaranteed.
Asia Leads as Traders Watch US Sessions
Price action in recent weeks has followed a familiar pattern with strong performance during Asian trading hours and weaker follow-through during US sessions. Laser Digital said a shift in this dynamic WOULD be an important signal for the market.
Several strong US sessions could prove constructive, potentially drawing sidelined investors back into risk assets. From a technical perspective the desk pointed to $95,000 as a key resistance level for Bitcoin. A decisive break above that area could trigger further upside momentum while failure to do so may keep prices range-bound in the NEAR term.
Jobs Data Takes Center Stage
Macro factors are now firmly in focus. This week brings a flurry of US labor market data, culminating in Friday’s non-farm payrolls report. Consensus expectations call for headline job gains of around 55,000 and an unemployment rate of 4.5%.
Laser Digital expects the unemployment rate to matter more than the headline jobs number, echoing recent market behavior. With January rate cuts barely priced in a weaker-than-expected report could push yields lower as markets reprice the path of monetary policy.
However, a higher unemployment rate could weigh on risk assets, as investors are largely positioned for a “Goldilocks” outcome for the US economy.
Sentiment Improves as Fundamentals Hold
Broader sentiment across digital assets has also improved. Petr Kozyakov, co-founder and CEO of Mercuryo, said investors are returning to crypto as they position for the year ahead.
“Cryptocurrency markets are in the green as investors add digital gold to their portfolios,” Kozyakov said, noting renewed strength in Bitcoin alongside gains in ethereum and Solana.
He added that while sentiment weakened late last year fundamentals remain intact supported by continued growth in underlying infrastructure and rising liquidity in areas such as stablecoins.
Geopolitical tensions remain a background risk, but market reaction so far has been muted. Laser Digital cautioned that spillover effects could still emerge particularly in regions already under pressure keeping macro uncertainty firmly in play as 2026 unfolds.
