Bitcoin tops $84,000 as tech stocks rally and Fear & Greed jumps to 63

Bitcoin broke through the $83,000 to $83,300 area that capped it yesterday and traded at $84,023 in CoinGecko's latest snapshot, up 1.26% in 24 hours. CoinDesk reports that bitcoin reached a one-week high as Asian tech stocks rebounded and SpaceX and Tesla formed committees to explore a merger.

Bitcoin

According to CoinGecko, bitcoin is up 1.32% over seven days. Its 24-hour range runs from $82,226 to $83,827, and the latest snapshot sits above that reported high. Trading volume over 24 hours was $27.7 billion. In its live updates, CoinDesk said bitcoin rose to $84,000 as SpaceX led markets higher.

The merger story has a direct crypto angle. CoinDesk notes that a SpaceX and Tesla tie-up would unite more than 30,000 bitcoin, and that strong SpaceX earnings lifted shares ahead of Tesla's results.

On the upside, Cointelegraph cites Glassnode research showing resistance near $87,000 reinforced by investors who bought in late 2025, with $87.7K described as the key level. Chart: BTC/USD.

Ether and the majors

Ether rose 0.76% to $2,479.37 but is slightly lower on the week. XRP led the large caps over 24 hours. Solana was the only major in the red on the day, despite its network upgrade.

Breadth and sentiment

CoinGecko puts total crypto market capitalization at $2.825 trillion, down 0.55% in 24 hours. That decline contrasts with gains in most majors listed above. Bitcoin dominance stands at 59.7% and Ether dominance at 10.7%.

The Crypto Fear & Greed Index jumped to 63 (Greed) from 55 yesterday. That matches its Oct. 16 reading and is the highest in the past eight days. The index has swung between 53 and 63 over that period.

News drivers

Solana's Alpenglow goes live

Decrypt reports that Solana's Alpenglow consensus protocol is live, retiring TowerBFT, which had run the network since its 2020 launch. Cointelegraph says the upgrade targets a 99% reduction in finality time for near-immediate settlement. Chart: SOL/USDT.

OCC finalizes GENIUS Act rules

Cointelegraph reports that the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency finalized rules covering payment stablecoin issuance and some custody activities, with the GENIUS Act framework taking effect in mid-January. According to Decrypt, the rule sets reserve, redemption and risk standards, but the OCC has not said when it will begin accepting applications. CoinDesk adds that the OCC is the first of several federal agencies to finish its regulations under the act.

Other headlines

• Decrypt reports that JPMorgan has bitcoin outperforming real estate, stocks and gold over the next 10 to 15 years.
• Standard Chartered signed a definitive deal to acquire Zodia Custody, with regulatory approvals still pending, per Cointelegraph.
• French authorities proposed that crypto exchanges check DeFi protocols and face liability for certain customer losses, Cointelegraph reports.

What to watch next

1. Tesla results. CoinDesk says SpaceX strength lifted shares ahead of Tesla's earnings, with the merger review ongoing.
2. Glassnode's $87.7K level. The resistance zone Cointelegraph highlighted from Glassnode data.
3. OCC applications. Timing for stablecoin issuer applications, ahead of the mid-January GENIUS Act start.
4. PancakeSwap vote. Cointelegraph reports a fee overhaul heading to a vote would give liquidity providers 88% of swap fees and cut CAKE emissions by 69%.
5. Zodia approvals. Regulators still need to clear Standard Chartered's deal.