Markets This Week: Volatility Returns, Process Matters
Risk assets started the year strong, but this week was a reminder that momentum is rarely linear. Equity markets held near highs, while crypto pulled back modestly as macro headlines re-introduced short-term uncertainty.
This isn’t a breakdown. It’s a reset in tempo.
Bitcoin and Ethereum both traded lower over the past seven days, while the S&P 500 remained relatively stable. The divergence highlights an important reality: crypto continues to behave as a high-beta asset, moving faster in both directions when risk sentiment shifts.
Market Intelligence & Action
Weekly Snapshot (Jan 20–26, 2026)
A split week: equities climbed while crypto stayed volatile. This is exactly the environment where process (and DCA discipline) beats trying to time headlines.
| Asset | Week Open (CAD) | Current Level (CAD) | 7-Day Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin (BTC | $122,265 | $120,209 | -1.7% |
| Ethereum (ETH) | $4,426 | $3,993 | -9.8% |
| S&P 500 | 6,796.86 | 6,957.47 | +2.4% |
This Week’s Updates
1. Macro Backdrop: Markets Pause, Headlines Take Control
U.S. equities spent the week consolidating near record highs as investors weighed mixed economic data against renewed geopolitical and trade-related headlines. Risk appetite didn’t disappear, but conviction softened as markets waited for clarity.
Crypto followed suit, reacting faster and more sharply to shifts in sentiment. When uncertainty rises, digital assets tend to absorb volatility first before stabilizing.
2. The Tape: Volatility Tests Discipline, Not the Thesis
Bitcoin pulled back modestly this week as short-term traders responded to macro headlines and risk-off flows. This type of move is typical in a 24/7 market where liquidity responds instantly to new information.
The more useful distinction remains unchanged: price is the variable, the network is the constant. Bitcoin continued to operate exactly as designed while the market repriced around it.
Weekly takeaway: Short-term volatility rewards preparation, not prediction. Whether trading or allocating, discipline and time horizon matter more than reacting to every headline.
Moving over $50,000? Use our OTC desk for private, slippage-free execution.
Call for an OTC quote: 1-855-820-2274
3. Need Cash? Sell Online Now!
Our Online Sell feature is the fastest way to access funds.
The RapidEX Knowledge Centre
A Beginners Guide to Buying Bitcoin Online.
Buying and selling crypto doesn’t have to be complicated: With RapidEX, it’s fast, easy, and fully non-custodial, meaning the crypto you buy is sent directly to your wallet. You stay in control. Follow these easy steps to buy online:
- Sign Up & Verify Your Identity
- Send Your Interac e-Transfer
- Receive Your Crypto in Minutes
Visit the Knowledge Center for the full guide on buying Bitcoin online.
Local Presence You Can Trust
RapidEX isn’t just a website—we are a local Alberta business with a massive physical footprint and 30+ years of experience.
- 100+ Locations: Find a kiosk near you.
- High Limits: Move up to $30,000 CAD in person.
- Support: Real people, real help—right here in Canada.
