Three Gaming Tokens – SAND, AXS, and MANA – Just Defied Crypto Market Decline

TheNewsCryptoPublished on 2026-01-20Last updated on 2026-01-20

Abstract

Amid a broader crypto market decline, three gaming tokens—SAND, AXS, and MANA—are posting significant gains. SAND is up 7.55% in 24 hours, trading at $0.1468, while AXS surged 15.77% to $2.02. MANA rose 6.76% to $0.1593. In contrast, major cryptocurrencies like BTC and ETH are testing key levels, and the overall market cap fell 1.90%. The Bank of Japan's potential interest rate hike has introduced additional volatility concerns, with a decision expected in January 2026.

Three gaming tokens are defying the ongoing decline across the global crypto market. These are SAND, AXS, and MANA, noting a surge between 6-15% as the article is being written. The current downswings in the crypto market are rooted to the rising uncertainty in international trade – likely to be more complicated after the Bank of Japan (BoJ) hints at hiking its rates.

Gaming Tokens on the Rise

The Sandbox, SAND, is up by 7.55% over the last 24 hours. It is now trading at $0.1468. The value is also up by 25.35% in the last 7 days. However, it has retraced its steps back by almost 1.94%. Nevertheless, it is defying market momentum with an upswing along with Axie Infinity (AXS) and Decentraland (MANA).

AXS has recorded the highest surge in 24 hours and also in 7 days. The token is up by 15.77% and 110.55% in the respective timelines. It is now trading at $2.02 with a slight slip of 0.83% in the last 1 hour. MANA has made decent gains to $0.1593. It is up by 6.76% in 24 hours and 10.86% in 7 days.

Notably, top gaming tokens like RENDER and FLOKI have shed 5.08% and 0.47% in 24 hours, applicable in the same order.

Global Crypto Market Loses Momentum

The global crypto market has lost its momentum with BTC and ETH testing critical resistance levels of $90k and $3k, respectively. BNB and SOL are attempting to reclaim highs, but they continue to be pulled back by losses over 24 hours and 7 days. BNB is listed at $913.16, and SOL is at $129.13.

The struggle of the crypto market is also evident in a decline of 1.90% in its market cap along with a shift to 42 points in the FG Index. The meme crypto segment does not have a lot of winners as well, considering DOGE and SHIB are down by 9.74% and 8.86% over the last 7 days, respectively.

Will BoJ Increase Volatility?

Volatility in the crypto market depends on multiple factors; however, some of the attention is on the Bank of Japan, or BoJ. It has hinted at the possibility of raising rates following the yen depreciation. Ayako Fujita, Japan’s Chief Economist at JPMorgan Securities, has said that the BoJ has a negative stand on hiking the rate consecutively. Ayako, as reported by Reuters, added that the recent Yen depreciation may prompt a change here.

Notably, the BoJ raised interest rates to 0.75% in December last year (2025), making it the highest in 30 years. A decision is likely to be announced on January 23, 2026, at 03:30-04:30 GMT.

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