Bitcoin climbed above $91,000 on Sunday, with traders extending the major coins’ early-2026 rally, with Ethereum, Solana and Cardano surging as geopolitical headlines in Venezuela increased risk appetite.
In early Asian trading, Bitcoin was trading at about $91,300, up about 1.4% on the day and more than 4% in seven days. Ethereum rose about 1% to near $3,150, and is up about 7% for the week, while Solana is up about 1.6%, with a seven-day gain of more than 8%. XRP is hovering above $2, up about 0.6% on the day and nearly 10% on the week, while Cardano is slightly higher on the day and up about 8% in seven days.
The move follows a sharp liquidation flush that cleared crowded positions and reset near-term leverage.
The data shows that about $180 million in futures positions were liquidated in the past 24 hours, with about $133 million from shorts and $47 million from longs. This imbalance suggests that traders are getting into a position against the rally, forcing them to buy back shares as prices move higher.
Sunday’s gains also came as traders reacted to the rapidly changing political situation in Venezuela.
President Donald Trump has said the United States plans to “administer” Venezuela, while the White House has given few details of what that would entail. Venezuela’s Supreme Court has granted Vice President Delcy Rodriguez all presidential powers in an acting capacity after ousted President Nicolás Maduro was detained by the United States.
Trump also said he would focus on Venezuelan oil, saying the U.S. would have an “oil-related presence in Venezuela” and suggesting there would be no need for U.S. troops there if Rodriguez “does what we want to do.”
Cryptocurrency traders often view such headlines as volatility catalysts rather than direct macro drivers, but the tone of risk is still important.
During periods of thin liquidity, even modest spot demand can push prices above technical levels and trigger a stop-driven move in the futures market.
This dynamic is amplified when bears prepare for a pullback, as forced covering can turn a rise into a sharper breakout.
