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Global Cryptocurrency Market Maintains Robust Rally with 10.3% Month-on-Month Growth in May
Binance Research credits this bullish market performance to renewed interest from institutional investors, increased corporate adoption, and positive developments in the decentralized finance (DeFi) and stablecoin sectors. The report underscores the growing maturity of the digital asset landscape, with more traditional financial players and companies getting involved.
**Bitcoin and Ethereum Lead the Charge**
Bitcoin (BTC) advanced by 11.1% in May, soaring to a record high of USD 111,970 before experiencing a slight pullback. In contrast, Ethereum (ETH) posted an impressive 43.9% gain, driven by the successful implementation of its Pectra upgrade, which improved scalability, security, and developer experience, reigniting investor enthusiasm for Ethereum’s long-term potential.
The report also noted that several altcoins joined the upward trend. Dogecoin (DOGE) surged by 12.9% following 21Shares’ application for a spot DOGE ETF, leading to a remarkable 528% spike in active addresses. Solana (SOL) increased by 9.3%, supported by institutional investments and treasury allocations from DeFi-focused firms, while BNB rose by 10.1% with the USD 2 billion launch of the USD1 stablecoin on the BNB Chain.
In the DeFi sector, total value locked (TVL) grew by 21.4% month-on-month, surpassing Bitcoin’s own gains. This growth was primarily driven by heightened activity on Ethereum and its Layer 2 networks, notably Base.
Meanwhile, stablecoin activity continued to rise, registering a 4.5% increase, with total market capitalization exceeding USD 250 billion for the 20th consecutive month. Additionally, the NFT sector saw a revival, with total sales volume increasing by 22.5%. Notably, Bitcoin-related NFTs, including Ordinals and BRC-20 collections, saw a 14.4% rise.
U.S.-listed Bitcoin spot ETFs experienced net inflows of USD 5.25 billion, the highest since November 2024. However, the last two trading days of May witnessed USD 962 million in outflows, indicating some investor caution in light of rising interest rates and macroeconomic concerns. Since April, over 100,000 BTC have been added to corporate balance sheets, with more than 25 companies publicly disclosing their holdings.
Gold prices in India recorded a slight increase on January 19, 2026, supported by global market trends, local demand, and movements in the rupee-dollar exchange rate.
As per market estimates, 24-carat gold, which is considered pure gold, is priced at ₹14,569 per gram, or ₹1,45,690 per 10 grams. 22-carat gold, commonly used for jewellery, is trading at around ₹13,355 per gram, or ₹1,33,550 per 10 grams.
The prices have risen marginally compared to the previous day. The increase is mainly linked to a weaker Indian rupee against the US dollar, which makes imported gold more expensive.
Gold rates vary slightly across cities such as Mangalore and other parts of the country. These differences depend on local taxes, transportation costs, jeweller margins, and regional demand.
Demand for gold remains strong due to the wedding season and festive buying, which continues to support higher prices. Investors also turn to gold during uncertain economic conditions, as it is seen as a safe-haven asset.
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Experts say that global geopolitical developments, inflation concerns, and central bank policies are also influencing international gold prices, which in turn affect domestic rates.
Market participants expect gold prices to remain firm in the near term if the rupee stays weak and demand continues at current levels.
Gold prices witnessed a mild decline in the domestic bullion market on January 16, 2026. The price of 24-carat gold was recorded at ₹143,080 per 10 grams. This marked a fall of ₹360 compared to its previous closing price, indicating a soft trend in the precious metal market.
Similarly, the price of 22-carat gold also moved lower. It was trading at ₹131,157 per 10 grams during the day. The decline in gold prices reflects cautious sentiment among investors amid changing global economic signals.
Market experts said gold prices were affected by fluctuations in international markets and movements in the US dollar. Profit booking by investors at higher levels also contributed to the marginal drop in prices.
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Despite the decline, demand for gold remains steady in the domestic market. Jewellers reported moderate buying interest, especially for 22-carat gold used in jewellery. Industry participants are now closely watching global inflation data, interest rate trends, and geopolitical developments.
Gold prices are expected to remain volatile in the coming days. Investors are advised to keep an eye on global cues and currency movements before making fresh investments.
Silver prices fell sharply from record levels in the national capital on Thursday due to global profit-booking. The price of silver dropped by ₹12,500 to ₹2,43,500 per kilogram.
According to the All India Sarafa Association, the white metal had touched a record high of ₹2,56,000 per kilogram in the previous trading session on Wednesday. Silver had surged by ₹5,000 in that session amid strong global cues.
Gold prices also weakened on Thursday. The yellow metal declined by ₹900 per 10 grams in the local market. Traders attributed the fall to selling pressure after recent gains.
Market experts said that a rise in global prices earlier had encouraged investors to book profits. This selling pressure impacted both silver and gold prices in the domestic market.
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They added that movements in international bullion prices and a stronger dollar also influenced the decline. Investors are now closely watching global economic signals for further direction in precious metal prices.
Gold Prices Edge Up in India on January 19, 2026
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