The first week of the year starts positively, as the macroeconomic financial markets' reaction to the U.S. attack on Venezuela remains neutral. This suggests that the rest of the week in the markets looks promising.
As a result, BeInCrypto analyzed the TOP 3 altcoins that investors should pay attention to in the first week of January 2026.
TOP 3 altcoins: Stellar (XLM)
XLM is currently trading around $0.233, recording almost a 16% increase over the last seven days. Despite the rebound, Stellar is still under pressure from a downward trend line that has limited price movement for over a month, making it difficult to confirm a sustainable trend reversal.
Breaking above the downward trend requires XLM to regain resistance at $0.241. The Parabolic SAR indicator is below the price, signaling an active upward trend. Maintaining this momentum requires further capital inflow. If demand holds, XLM may soon test the level of $0.241.
The failed breakout from the downward trend increases the risk of further declines. With increased selling pressure, XLM may drop towards the support level at $0.220. Breaking this level would invalidate the bullish narrative and could bring the price down to $0.206.
Render (RENDER)
RENDER rose by 57% last week and is among the best-performing tokens. Alongside memecoins, cryptocurrencies focused on AI have been gaining increasing popularity since the beginning of 2026. This revival in the industry boosts both speculative and real demand, placing RENDER among the main beneficiaries of the current wave of risk appetite.
The RENDER rally is supported by solid capital inflows. The Chaikin money flow remains clearly above zero, signaling accumulation. Strong investor participation increases the chances of trend continuation. If momentum holds, RENDER may break through $2.18 and $2.34, reaching a two-month high.
The risk of declines persists if investors start taking profits. Increased selling pressure could push RENDER below the psychological level of $2.00. A drop could reveal support at $1.71, which would invalidate the bullish narrative and shift the short-term outlook towards consolidation or correction.
TOP 3 altcoins: Onyxcoin (XCN)
Another altcoin worth noting in the first week of January is XCN, which surged sharply in the last 24 hours, reaching a peak of 41%. The altcoin is trading near $0.00595 after another failed attempt to break through $0.00630. This level has been rejected three times in the last six weeks and remains a key resistance zone.
After losing momentum at the end of December, as highlighted by the relative strength index, XCN is showing strength again. Buyers are returning to the market, supporting the current rebound. For the rally to sustain, XCN must effectively test $0.00535 as support. This will confirm stability and maintain a short-term bullish structure.
The risk of declines remains if support does not hold. A drop below $0.00535 would undermine market confidence and expose XCN to further losses. In such a case, the price could drop to support at $0.00477, invalidating the bullish concept and erasing recent gains.
To read the latest cryptocurrency market analysis from BeInCrypto, click here.
