I had posted images of this particular cactus about a month ago. At that time a couple of suggestions indicated that it might be Gymnocalcycium? At that time the bright reddish tufts on top of the cactus had not yet developed. I suspect that these might be flowers starting to develope.

Nice surprise? or was it expected?

Nice looking areoles..prickly and red

My gymnocalycium blooms during summertime, has to be really hot to get those blooms to open wide, and those blooms grow beside the thorns, not under it. Hope yours means a bloom too!