Altcoins Defy Bitcoin Slump as XRP, Solana Notch Double-Digit Gains
Bitcoin and Ethereum are consolidating after a strong start to 2026, while selected altcoins such as XRP and Solana have posted weekly gains of nearly 10% and 7%, respectively. Sui, Bittensor, and Shiba Inu are up 14% to 17% for the week. This marks a capital rotation into riskier assets as the crypto market awaits significant macroeconomic events. Bitcoin’s year-to-date gain has slowed to 4%, and Ethereum’s to nearly 4%, down from over 11%. Analysts attribute the altcoin rally primarily to sentiment, supported by narrative factors such as ETF inflows and market speculation, especially for Solana and XRP. Institutional investors remain cautious, awaiting further positive data before committing to a broader rally. Major upcoming economic reports, including U.S. employment and inflation data, are expected to dictate market direction. A positive surprise could propel Bitcoin towards $98,000, while disappointing data could trigger a drop to a key support near $88,000. The durability of the altcoin surge is uncertain, with experts highlighting volatility and the need for sustained trading volumes and favorable macro conditions to support further gains.
