Bitcoin has rebounded to $88,000 in early 2026 after previously hitting a seven-month low of $79,500. This price recovery has reignited discussions about strategic entry points for investors this year. The surge was driven by technical factors and significant institutional activity, including a $3.2 billion profit realized by BlackRock’s ETF participants during the recent pullback. In the altcoin market, Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) and other tokens have attracted speculative capital, indicating a broader risk-on sentiment. Capital flows are shifting from meme tokens to infrastructure-focused projects, with Bitcoin Layer 2 solutions and DeFi protocols gaining attention. Despite this momentum, analysts warn that altcoins remain volatile, with their success hinging on macroeconomic conditions and regulatory developments.