In an electrifying turn of events, Monero (XMR), the leading privacy cryptocurrency, achieved a new all-time high of $579 on January 12, 2026, marking a more than 20% surge in just one day. This substantial rise comes as traders flock to privacy-focused tokens amidst a broader market rally that has been gaining traction since late December.
The latest surge in Monero’s price positions it as one of the star performers in the crypto space, outpacing both Bitcoin and Ethereum. This breakout was further complemented by notable gains in other privacy coins such as Zcash (ZEC) and Canton, highlighting a burgeoning interest in privacy features among investors.
Trading volume for Monero soared during this latest rally, reflecting robust buying activity. The surge brings the price within striking distance of the coveted $600 mark, as the cryptocurrency community breathes new life into privacy-oriented projects.
While Monero thrived, Solana’s SOL token edged up by approximately 5%, keeping pace with the broader altcoin market. However, it struggled to break past critical resistance levels, despite positive institutional sentiment surrounding its network advancements.
Analysts at 10x Research attribute Monero’s impressive performance to a renewed focus on privacy and anticipation for upcoming protocol upgrades. Demand has soared, even amid continuing regulatory scrutiny facing cryptocurrencies.
In contrast, Bitcoin has managed to maintain stability, reinforcing a market pattern where altcoins tend to rally on selective investor positioning and market rotations rather than fresh momentum from Bitcoin itself. Ether also saw minor gains but failed to capture the same excitement as its privacy-focused counterparts.
John, a prominent market commentator, noted on Twitter: “Nobody is talking about $XMR ATH. The strongest crypto ever. There’s nothing you can do about it. See you higher.” Such sentiments resonate within the community as traders speculate on Monero’s upward trajectory.
Market maker Flowdesk observed that traders were mostly caught off guard following the holiday period, with suppressed funding rates in December prompting a short-covering rally once liquidity returned. As a result, mid- to large-cap tokens like XMR, ZEC, and SOL have charted upward paths, even as Bitcoin traded sideways.
Privacy Tokens on the Rise
With Bitcoin exhibiting a range-bound nature, it has become apparent that the driving forces in the current market are largely concentrated in altcoins, propelled by their individual narratives. While privacy tokens lead the charge, Bitcoin, while stable, appears to lack the catalytic energy needed for substantial movement.
Monero’s recent performance has highlighted a bullish technical setup. The cryptocurrency recently broke through a multi-year resistance level that had been established since the 2021 market top. It has surged above the neckline of a classic cup-and-handle formation, often seen as an indicator of trend continuation.
As observed by technical analysts, the projected targets for Monero may well extend above $1,000, with long-term projections oscillating around $1,600. The liquidity flow indicator shows consistent capital inflows reminiscent of the previous bullish cycle. Meanwhile, the MACD indicator reflects patterns similar to those seen during prior market rallies.
The immediate resistance zone for Monero lies between $650 and $720, with a sustained break above this range likely setting the stage for advances toward $850 and potentially $1,000 in the coming months.
Against a backdrop of choppy stablecoin flows, the crypto market remains eager to seize thematic opportunities such as the privacy tokens surge, while Bitcoin awaits a robust catalyst to escape its tightening range.
