Bitcoin Tops $68,000 on Stock Rebound and ETF Inflows

The $60,000 level is more than a psychological round-number threshold. Deribit Chief Commercial Officer Jean-David Péquignot said most ETF buyers, whales and short-term traders who entered the market over the past year have cost bases between $60,000 and $67,000. The strike also has $1.2 billion in open put interest, and a break below it could force market makers to sell for hedging purposes and trigger leveraged liquidations.

U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded net inflows of $3.05 million on June 5, ending a 13-day streak of outflows totaling $4.4 billion. BlackRock's IBIT attracted $47.66 million. Ether ETFs took in $19.3 million, all through ETHA, ending a 17-day outflow streak. Bitcoin fell as low as $59,060 on June 24, leaving support on uncertain footing.

Bitcoin has become more closely correlated with risk assets such as U.S. equities, with oil prices, U.S. Treasury yields and geopolitical developments all influencing investors' risk appetite. Although spot Bitcoin ETFs have continued to record net outflows recently, better-than-expected earnings from NVIDIA provided support for technology stocks and the cryptocurrency market.

As of May 25, oil prices had fallen about 5% in a single day and selling pressure in U.S. Treasuries had eased, helping the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq rebound across the board. Bitcoin rose 0.64% over the previous 24 hours to $77,361, holding above the $77,000 threshold as markets temporarily stabilized.

Bitcoin is a key gauge of risk appetite in the crypto market. After the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved spot Bitcoin ETFs on January 10, 2024, institutional investors gained access through regulated products, making the $80,000 level an important threshold for assessing demand.

Reports compiled as of July 19, 2026, showed Bitcoin had reclaimed $80,000. U.S. spot ETFs drew nearly $1 billion during the multi-day rally, including $532 million in one trading session, while leveraged long positions in futures also pushed prices higher. CryptoQuant, however, said U.S. spot buying was not the main driver. Traders continued to hedge and remained cautious about a break above $90,000.

Bitcoin has often been viewed as a volatile risk asset that moves in tandem with technology stocks. Yet it strengthened as U.S. inflation data accelerated, stocks fell and Treasury yields rose. That divergence has revived debate over its status as “digital gold,” while inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs have reinforced the case for Bitcoin as an inflation hedge.

The latest market data compiled as of July 19, 2026, showed Bitcoin briefly rising to $81,500 after breaking above $81,000 and holding the $80,000 level. Several banks withdrew their forecasts for Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts over the same period. On-chain data showed long-term holders accumulating about 330,000 BTC, but derivatives activity remained muted and traders were divided over whether the rally could continue.

Bitcoin (BTC) is highly sensitive to inflation and interest-rate expectations. A smaller-than-expected increase in the U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) signaled easing upstream price pressures and raised expectations of a shift toward looser monetary policy, lifting risk assets including cryptocurrencies. The $76,000 level has become a key test of whether the rebound can continue.

In the latest rally, BTC briefly broke above $76,000 after the U.S. PPI release, posting its strongest performance since mid-March, but it subsequently failed to hold that level. On-chain analytics firm CryptoQuant warned of mounting near-term selling pressure, while traders realized profits on roughly 63,000 BTC during the advance. The market is now watching whether Bitcoin can regain a firm foothold above $76,000.

Bitcoin reclaimed the $70,000 level as institutional buying through U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs picked up, bringing some ETF investors close to breakeven. The market views $68,000 as the key medium-term dividing line between bullish and bearish momentum. Whether Bitcoin can hold above it will help determine if the rebound extends into April.

Bitcoin recently traded above $70,000 at one point during the New York session, while U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded nearly $500 million in net inflows in a single day. Around March 11, analysts said that if the weekly close continued to hold above the $68,000 trendline, a break above $72,000 could quickly propel Bitcoin into the major short-liquidation zone at $80,000.

The market had been weighed down by a February selloff and extreme pessimism after U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $3.8 billion in net outflows over five consecutive weeks. Crowded leveraged short positions also left the market vulnerable to a short squeeze when prices rebounded. Whether ETF inflows resume has become a key indicator of risk appetite among U.S. institutional investors.

On February 25, Bitcoin rose more than 5% over 24 hours to $67,500 in early U.S. trading. ETH reclaimed $2,000, while major tokens including SOL and DOGE gained more than 10%. CoinGlass recorded more than $307 million in short liquidations. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs posted net inflows of $506.5 million that day, including $297.4 million for BlackRock’s IBIT.

The approval of U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs gave institutional capital access to the market through regulated products, making ETF flows an important gauge of price momentum. Glassnode said underlying demand remained fragile, but institutional positioning had stabilized and investors were increasingly viewing Bitcoin as a hedge against geopolitical risk.

As of July 19, Bitcoin was holding near $72,500 after breaking above $72,000 and briefly reclaiming the $75,000 level. U.S. spot ETFs most recently attracted about $155 million, lifting net inflows over two consecutive weeks to roughly $1.47 billion. Glassnode, however, observed that buyer momentum had weakened slightly.

The launch of U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs has given traditional investors a regulated route into the asset through managers including BlackRock. Meanwhile, the Bitcoin halving has curtailed new supply, and geopolitical risks in the Middle East have bolstered demand for safe-haven assets. Capital flows and shifting supply-demand dynamics have therefore become central drivers of the latest rally.

Bitcoin broke through resistance at $74,000 and hit a fresh high on March 16, gaining 3.68% over 24 hours. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have recorded net inflows for three consecutive weeks. Major crypto assets including Ether, Solana and Cardano rose as much as 6% on the day, signaling a marked recovery in risk appetite.

Bitcoin and Ethereum had fallen for several consecutive days as investors grew concerned about AI stock valuations and the outlook for global risk assets. Cryptocurrencies often move with risk appetite in U.S. technology shares and Asian equities, making Bitcoin's ability to hold above $66,000 an important gauge of whether market confidence is recovering.

In the latest trading, Bitcoin surged above $66,000, while Ethereum returned to around $1,920, driving a rebound across crypto markets and Asian equities. Investors are now focused on NVIDIA's upcoming earnings and guidance for clues on whether momentum in technology stocks can continue and support the outlook for risk assets.