Crypto Markets React as U.S.–Venezuela Tensions Escalate with Reports of the Capture of President Maduro

• Bitcoin led the crypto market rebound after it crossed the $90,000 resistance level.
• The market’s rebound comes as US forces ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The crypto market has staged a comeback as more than $100 billion was added to the assets’ valuation in the past 24 hours. This rebound comes amid the regional tension between the United States and the embattled President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, per a BBC report. Crypto Market Jumps on Maduro’s Ousting US President Donald Trump confirmed the news that an operation on Venezuelan soil led to the capture of President Maduro. The South American country’s first lady, Cilia Flores, was also arrested. This arrest comes after President Maduro flouted the ultimatum given by President Trump to step down and allow a peaceful transition of power. Both have now been indicted for drug and weapons-related offenses in a US court. Despite the regional uncertainty, the price of Bitcoin jumped by over 3% in early trading to hit a new year high of $90,884.46 per data from Marketcap. This renewed resurgence comes after weeks of sideways movement for the BTC price.

As we shared in a recent news analysis from Crypto-News Flash, Bitcoin was named as a major contender to lead weekend crypto market hype. This expectation is crucial as many analysts believe that the 4-year Bitcoin cycle has ended. Besides BTC, altcoins also saw impressive price action in the past 24 hours. Ethereum reclaimed the $3,100 resistance level, a price point it last revisited in mid-December 2025. Other altcoins recorded more exceptional rallies with XRP flipping Binance Coin (BNB) to become the third-largest crypto by market cap. As outlined in our recent blog post, XRP benefited much more from the broader Bitcoin rally. It remains unclear what the correlation between the Venezuelan regime change and the crypto market is. However, investors are monitoring the influence of the United States as a world power in shaping the macroeconomic climate. Is Crypto Bear Market Finally Over? While initial crypto market metrics saw a positive shift, the likelihood of a sustained rally remains in doubt. As Bitcoin topped the $90,000 price market, mild volatility has been recorded for the top coin and other profiled altcoins. Earlier, the signs of a bear market were visible in the crypto ecosystem. For instance, Bitcoin price closed 2025 with a negative price, the first of its kind following a Bitcoin halving year.  However, this latest resurgence is symbolic as the coin’s historical pattern suggests. Data from Cryptorank shows Bitcoin has an average growth rate of 9.9% in January. If the coin aligns with this trend, it may catalyze a broad market breakout.

Bitcoin Monthly Returns Chart | Source: Cryptorank

About a year ago, tariff concerns created a crucial tailwind for the crypto market; however, this is no longer the case. In judging what the mid-term holds for Bitcoin and altcoins, investors are watching the impact of quantitative easing on the US economy and the addition of crypto as treasury assets by institutional investors.