After spending much of late 2025 consolidating below six-figure territory, Bitcoin (BTC) has started 2026 with renewed momentum. 

In just two weeks, the world’s largest cryptocurrency has delivered a double-digit gain, pushing back toward the psychologically important $100,000 level and rewarding investors who entered the year with fresh exposure.

According to price data as of January 15, 2026, Bitcoin is trading at approximately $96,885, up sharply from $87,412 on January 1, the first trading day of the year. That move represents a year-to-date gain of 10.84%, making Bitcoin one of the strongest major assets so far in 2026.

A $1k investment in Bitcoin at the start of 2026 

For an investor who allocated $1,000 into Bitcoin at the start of the year, the rally has already translated into meaningful profits. At a January 1 price of roughly $87,412 per coin, a $1,000 investment would have purchased about 0.01144 BTC. 

At today’s price near $96,885, that same holding is now worth approximately $1,108, turning a four-figure stake into a $108 gain in just 15 days.

The speed of the move highlights how quickly Bitcoin sentiment has shifted. Early January saw a brief pullback toward the low-$90,000 range, but buyers stepped back in aggressively, driving a sharp rebound that erased the dip and pushed prices to new 2026 highs within days.

The rally has been supported by a combination of factors. Spot Bitcoin ETF flows have remained positive, institutional participation continues to grow, and macroeconomic expectations around interest rate cuts later in the year have renewed appetite for risk assets. 

At the same time, Bitcoin’s fixed supply narrative has regained traction as investors look for assets that can outperform in an environment of persistent global debt and currency debasement.What makes the current run particularly notable is how it compares to traditional markets.

A 10.8% return in just two weeks would typically take months or even years to achieve in equities or bonds. For Bitcoin, however, this type of volatility remains part of its core appeal, delivering outsized upside for investors willing to tolerate sharp swings.