U.S. Stock Market Opens 2026 with Nasdaq Up Over 1%, Crypto Stocks Rise

On the first trading day of 2026, U.S. stocks opened higher as risk sentiment improved following a volatile 2025. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite all posted gains, with the Nasdaq Composite rising more than 1%. This marked a strong start to the new year for investors.

Nasdaq Inc. reached a record high of $99.55 per share, reflecting strong investor confidence and a 29.31% stock price increase over the past year. The company also announced increased purchase caps for several of its senior notes, indicating ongoing financial adjustments and strategic planning according to market analysis.

Crypto-related stocks experienced broad gains, with Coinbase, Circle, and other names rising between 1.22% and 3.35%. This rally occurred alongside a muted performance from Bitcoin, which rose only 0.3% to $88,895 during Asia’s first trading session of 2026.

Why Did the Market Open Higher?

The rise in the stock market was driven by a shift in risk appetite following several sessions of volatility at the end of 2025. With the Nasdaq Composite up 20.36% for 2025, investors appeared optimistic about continued growth in the technology and innovation sectors.

The broader economic environment also contributed to the positive sentiment. The U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates in late 2025, which supported precious metals and equity markets. Weak labor data further reinforced expectations of continued accommodative monetary policy.

What Drives the Gains in Crypto Stocks?

The performance of crypto-related stocks can be partially attributed to regulatory clarity and market structure improvements. The House passed the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act in July 2025, defining oversight responsibilities between the SEC and CFTC. This helped reduce regulatory uncertainty and supported the growth of ETFs and digital assets.

Additionally, Bitwise filed for 11 new crypto ETFs at year-end 2025, including products for Aave, Uniswap, and Bittensor. These filings, though not immediately moving prices, indicate a maturing market where ETFs are becoming routine rather than headline events.

How Are AI and Semiconductor Sectors Contributing to the Rally?

AI and semiconductor stocks saw strong performance on the first trading day of 2026. Asian markets, particularly in South Korea and Taiwan, surged as AI chip stocks gained ground. Biren Technology’s shares doubled on their Hong Kong debut, while Samsung and TSMC posted significant gains according to market reports.

The global AI chip market continues to expand as demand for high-bandwidth memory and AI servers rises. TSMC, for example, is increasing production of its 2nm chips and plans to accelerate its 1.4nm roadmap for trial production in 2027 according to industry analysis.

The strong performance of AI and chip stocks also reflects broader investor expectations of continued growth in the technology sector. U.S. equity funds closed 2025 with $16.89 billion in inflows for the week ending December 31, showing sustained interest in innovation-driven equities.