Bitcoin Hits Highest Level Since January

2026-09-21 14:35 By Joana Taborda 1 min. read

Bitcoin topped $85K on Monday, extending the rally that began last week and reaching its highest level since January.

The cryptocurrency was supported by improving overall market sentiment, continued declines in oil prices, progress on the regulatory front and renewed institutional inflows.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission introduced a five-year exemption for platforms facilitating the trading of tokenised stocks and other securities using blockchain technology.

This came despite the US Senate voting last week to block the Clarity Act from advancing.

The legislation would establish a regulatory framework for digital assets.

Meanwhile, traders are also focused on this week’s summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, with markets looking for signs of progress towards easing trade tensions.

Demand for Bitcoin has also strengthened.

US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $433 million in net inflows on September 18, led by Fidelity and BlackRock.



News Stream
Bitcoin Hits Highest Level Since January
Bitcoin topped $85K on Monday, extending the rally that began last week and reaching its highest level since January. The cryptocurrency was supported by improving overall market sentiment, continued declines in oil prices, progress on the regulatory front and renewed institutional inflows. The US Securities and Exchange Commission introduced a five-year exemption for platforms facilitating the trading of tokenised stocks and other securities using blockchain technology. This came despite the US Senate voting last week to block the Clarity Act from advancing. The legislation would establish a regulatory framework for digital assets. Meanwhile, traders are also focused on this week’s summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, with markets looking for signs of progress towards easing trade tensions. Demand for Bitcoin has also strengthened. US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $433 million in net inflows on September 18, led by Fidelity and BlackRock.
2026-09-21
Bitcoin Approaches January Highs
Bitcoin rose toward $82,000 in late September, approaching its highest level since January amid renewed institutional demand. US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $433 million in net inflows on September 18, led by Fidelity and BlackRock, reversing heavy outflows earlier in the week. Still, the funds ended the week with only $6.2 million in net inflows. The gain came despite the Federal Reserve raising rates by 25 bps last week and signaling further tightening, while US Treasury yields remained elevated. The divergence from the broader macro backdrop has raised interest in Bitcoin as a potential hedge against market and economic risks. Meanwhile, the Senate failed to advance the Clarity Act on September 15, while the SEC and CFTC moved ahead with crypto rulemaking under existing authority. The CFTC also submitted a crypto-market proposal to the White House for review.
2026-09-21
Bitcoin Falls as US Senate Rejects Crypto Bill
Bitcoin fell to about $75,000 in mid-September, near a more than three-week low as investors reacted to the Senate’s failure to advance a major US cryptocurrency regulation bill. The Clarity Act failed to advance after a 49-50 procedural vote, falling short of the 60 votes required, and would have placed primary oversight of digital assets with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The setback leaves uncertainty around the regulatory framework for the crypto industry, with potential implications for business investment, the location of crypto firms and institutional participation in the US, analysts said. Bitcoin has also faced pressure from a less supportive macro backdrop, as higher interest rates and tighter liquidity tend to weigh on demand for speculative assets. The Federal Reserve’s policy decision is due later today, with markets widely expecting the central bank to deliver its first rate hike in around three years.
2026-09-16