Despite some pessimistic narratives claiming the US market's decline in 2025, the Invesco QQQ Trust, which tracks the Nasdaq-100 Index, delivered a robust 20% gain for the year, according to financial analyst Eric Balchunas. This performance starkly contrasts with doomsday predictions, highlighting the resilience of US tech-heavy equities. Over the past three years, QQQ has surged an impressive 134%, outpacing international markets even during their so-called 'big year.' Extending the view to a decade, international returns pale in comparison, representing less than a quarter of US gains. This data underscores why traders continue to favor US assets, particularly in a landscape where cryptocurrency markets often mirror Nasdaq movements.

QQQ's Long-Term Dominance and Crypto Correlations

Delving deeper into the numbers, QQQ's 134% rise over the last three years, as noted on January 2, 2026, demonstrates sustained momentum driven by tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. This isn't just a short-term blip; over 10 years, the ETF's returns have dwarfed those of international benchmarks, making it a cornerstone for growth-oriented portfolios. For cryptocurrency traders, this is particularly relevant because Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) have shown strong correlations with Nasdaq indices. Historical data reveals that during periods of QQQ strength, BTC often experiences upward pressure, with correlation coefficients frequently exceeding 0.7 in bull markets. For instance, in 2023-2025, as QQQ climbed, BTC trading volumes on major exchanges spiked, reflecting institutional flows shifting from equities to digital assets. Traders eyeing cross-market opportunities should monitor QQQ's support levels around $450-$460, as breaches could signal broader risk-off sentiment impacting ETH pairs like ETH/USD, where 24-hour volumes have averaged $10 billion in recent sessions.

Trading Strategies Amid US Market Resilience

From a trading perspective, the narrative of US market dominance offers actionable insights for crypto enthusiasts. Even with international markets posting gains in 2025, they failed to erode QQQ's lead, cutting the performance gap by less than half over three years. This resilience suggests that dip-buying strategies in tech ETFs could translate to crypto, where altcoins like Solana (SOL) and Chainlink (LINK) often rally in tandem with Nasdaq upticks. Consider on-chain metrics: Bitcoin's hash rate hit all-time highs in late 2025, correlating with QQQ's 20% annual return, indicating miner confidence amid equity strength. For stock-crypto arbitrage, traders might explore pairs such as BTC against QQQ futures, capitalizing on divergences. Resistance for QQQ stands at $500, and a breakout could propel BTC toward $80,000, based on past patterns where Nasdaq gains preceded crypto surges by 1-2 weeks. Institutional flows, evidenced by ETF inflows exceeding $50 billion in 2025, further bolster this outlook, potentially driving ETH staking yields higher as capital rotates.

Looking ahead, the disparity between US and international returns emphasizes the importance of diversified yet US-centric strategies. Crypto traders should watch for macroeconomic indicators like Fed rate decisions, which influenced QQQ's path in 2025. If inflation cools, expect continued outperformance, benefiting tokens tied to AI and tech, such as Render (RNDR) or Fetch.ai (FET). Sentiment analysis from social platforms shows bullish chatter around QQQ, with trading volumes up 15% year-over-year. Ultimately, dismissing 'US died' takes ignores the data: QQQ's trajectory points to sustained growth, offering crypto traders fertile ground for hedging and speculation. By integrating these equity signals, investors can navigate volatility, targeting entries during pullbacks for maximum upside in correlated assets like BTC and ETH.

In summary, Eric Balchunas's analysis on January 2, 2026, serves as a reminder of US market strength, with QQQ's metrics providing a blueprint for crypto trading. Whether scaling into positions or analyzing volume trends, the interplay between stocks and digital assets remains a key theme for 2026 and beyond.