BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes suggested that a slowdown in the AI sector in the US could support the price of Bitcoin (BTC) in the long term. According to Hayes, a potential slowdown in the AI sector could trigger developments leading to an expansion of the money supply in the US.
In a blog post, Hayes noted that weakening demand for AI computing power could make debt risks associated with data centers more visible. He specifically stated that debt used to finance investments in AI infrastructure could create new risks if growth in the sector slows.
Hayes argued that in such a scenario, the US government might consider providing liquidity to support the AI sector or to bail out insurance companies exposed to distressed assets. In either case, he noted, this would involve injecting more money into the economy, increasing the money supply.
The co-founder of BitMEX suggested that Bitcoin and some altcoin prices could be positively affected if the money supply expands. Hayes’ assessment focuses on the potential connection between developments in the artificial intelligence sector, global liquidity conditions, and cryptocurrency markets.
The key element in Hayes’ scenario is not that a slowdown in the AI sector will directly increase Bitcoin demand, but rather that the pressure it could put on the financial system might lead policymakers to provide more liquidity. However, this approach reflects Hayes’ view of economic and market conditions; potential policy actions or their impact on the Bitcoin price are not considered certain developments.
*This is not investment advice.
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The record inflows into the spot BTC ETFs were just a part of the overall price gain puzzle.
Despite all the negative macro and industry developments that took place in the past week, bitcoin’s price went on an impressive run on Monday morning, surging to a new eight-month high of just over $87,000.
Here are some of the possible reasons behind this, but let’s start with why it was unexpected.
The Bad News It was just a week ago that the US Senate was set to vote on advancing the key crypto market structure bill, the CLARITY Act. Without much fight, the Republicans lost the vote, and the legislation faced another major setback, although many experts believe this is not the end of it.
A day later, the situation for risk-on assets like BTC worsened when the US Federal Reserve hiked interest rates for the first time in over three years. Bitcoin’s price reacted with immediate declines, slipping to a three-week low of $75,000 on a couple of occasions.
However, the bulls showed resilience the following days and initiated a more impressive leg up on Friday. Although the Bank of Japan followed the Fed’s example, BTC rallied to just over $80,000. It climbed to $82,000 on Saturday, but another set of negative macro developments — escalating tension in the Middle East as well as more violent attacks exchanged by Ukraine and Russia — led to a brief correction to $80,300.
Monday, though, was a big day for the crypto markets. Despite all of the above, BTC skyrocketed by over seven grand from bottom to top and peaked at $87,400 (on Bitstamp), which became its highest price tag since late January.
BTCUSD September 22. Source: TradingView How Come, BTC? The most obvious reason behind the cryptocurrency’s spectacular ascent came from the ETF inflows. Data from SoSoValue shows that $998.95 million entered the funds on Monday alone, making it the single-best performance in nearly a year.
You may also like: Bitcoin FOMO Surges as Traders Pile Back In: But Crowded Bets Can Turn Fast Massive $1 Billion in Liquidations as Bitcoin Taps $87K: What’s Next? From Bear Trap to $88K: Analyst Reveals Why Bitcoin’s Rally Isn’t Over CryptoQuant’s analysis sheds further light on the situation. The analysts claimed that there’s more to the story, especially on the technical side. Spot demand worked in tandem with the ETF inflows, resulting in well over $340 million in shorts getting wrecked in a classic short squeeze.
They added that there wasn’t much resistance on the way up, as the URPD showed little historical activity between $80,000 and $85,000, which allowed BTC to “move through quickly.” Now, though, the asset has reached major resistance at $85,000 and $95,000.
“BTC needs ETF flows to follow through to push through this area. But the Coinbase Premium Gap has turned negative, suggesting U.S. spot demand has cooled. All eyes are on the U.S. session to see whether ETFs can deliver another strong day,” CQ predicted.
Strategy (NASDAQ: MSTR) stock price closed at $168 on September 21, marking its highest closing price since May 15.
MSTR stock gains come on the back of a recovery across the broader crypto market, with Bitcoin (BTC) briefly touching $87,000 before dropping to $85,000 at the time of writing.
Strategy’s mNAV Jumps to 3-Month High Strategy’s mNAV reading has risen to 1.17x, with this being the highest mNAV reading seen since June 22.
The mNAV compares the value of Strategy as a company with the value of the Bitcoin that it holds.
When the mNAV reading is at 1.17x, it shows that an investor purchasing MSTR stock is paying $1.17 for every $1 of BTC that Strategy holds.
Strategy mNAV (Source: Strategy) The rising mNAV reading comes after Strategy added $32 billion to its market cap within three months. These gains follow the company’s restructuring, where it prioritized pausing Bitcoin buys and repurchasing the STRC preferred stock.
STRC stock is now 1.3% below its par value of $100, and Strategy has also resumed Bitcoin purchases, as earlier reported by CoinGape.
Analyst Sets $225 Target for MSTR Stock as BTC Profits Surge Analyst Donald Dean on X notes that MSTR stock price is currently testing the resistance at the 23.6% Fib of $170.
Dean notes that if the stock can move above this obstacle like it did with the obstacle at $150, it could reach the 38.2% Fib of $225.
The analyst’s bullish outlook comes as Strategy reaches an unrealized profit of $8.59 billion on the 846,000 BTC that it holds. Strategy’s Bitcoin stash is also at 13% above the average cost basis of $75,416.
If Bitcoin price continues with the uptrend as geopolitical tensions ease, Strategy’s profits could continue to balloon, supporting more gains for MSTR stock price.
MSTR Stock Tests 200W EMA Resistance The one-week chart shows that MSTR stock has moved to the resistance at the 200-week EMA of $167. Strategy shares have not closed above this resistance since May 2026.
If MSTR makes a strong move above $167 and then confirms this price to be support, the uptrend could move to the next resistance at $183. This obstacle could then pave the way for a move towards the psychological resistance of $200.
However, MSTR stock has faced resistance at the 200-week EMA multiple times since December 2025. If it does not close above this price, the stock might drop to retest the support at the 20-week EMA of $130.
MSTR Price Chart (Source: TradingView) Still, the RSI reading of 59 suggests that the momentum is favoring bulls. The RSI line is also creating a higher high to suggest that bulls are tightening their grip.
If the RSI keeps climbing and Bitcoin extends its gains towards $90,000, MSTR stock price might move towards $200 in Q4 2026.
TLDR Bitcoin rose about 7% to above $87,000, its highest level since January. Trump’s administration proposed $5 billion to rebuild Gulf energy sites damaged in the Iran war. Roughly $919 million in crypto short positions were liquidated as BTC broke through resistance. Glassnode says Bitcoin remains above its true market mean, a level tied to stronger market conditions. Analysts are watching $90,000 to $100,000 next, while Santiment flags rising FOMO and leverage. Bitcoin price climbed above $87,000 on Monday, gaining about 7% in 24 hours. The move pushed the price to its highest level since January.
The rally followed a mix of factors. These included falling oil prices, lower Treasury yields, and fresh demand for spot Bitcoin ETFs.
Risk sentiment also improved after the Trump administration outlined new plans for the Middle East. The news helped lift Bitcoin along with other risk assets.
Trump’s Gulf Reconstruction Plan The Trump administration proposed $5 billion to start an energy investment fund for the Gulf region. The plan targets infrastructure damaged during the seven-month war between the US and Iran, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The fund would ask for matching contributions from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, and Jordan. It would also fund new routes meant to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz.
The plan focuses on repairing damaged energy sites and building alternative oil and gas transport paths. Oil prices affect inflation expectations, which in turn can move Treasury yields and risk assets like Bitcoin.
Monday’s Bitcoin rally lined up with a drop in oil prices and softer bond yields. Both trends tend to support demand for higher-risk assets such as cryptocurrencies.
The price increase also triggered a wave of short liquidations. About $919 million in crypto short positions were closed during the rally.
Bitcoin Price on CoinGecko Bitcoin short positions made up more than $557 million of that total. When short positions close, traders must buy back Bitcoin, which can push the price up further.
Spot Bitcoin ETF inflows added more support during the session. Several crypto-linked stocks also moved higher alongside the BTC price.
Blockchain analytics firm Glassnode weighed in on the price action on X. Glassnode said Bitcoin remained above its true market mean and short-term holder cost basis, adding that holding these levels has historically lined up with stronger market conditions.
Watching $90,000 and Beyond Attention has now turned to the $90,000 area as the next test for Bitcoin. Crypto analyst Michaël van de Poppe pointed to $90,000 to $91,000 as the next zone to watch, writing in a post on X alongside a BTC/USD daily chart that stronger momentum could push the price toward $98,000 to $100,000.
Prediction-market traders share a similar outlook. Polymarket data shows a 42% chance that Bitcoin reaches $100,000 before the end of 2026.
Whether the rally continues depends on spot demand holding up after the short squeeze. Bitcoin will also need to absorb new leverage as traders position around $90,000.
Santiment reported that Bitcoin FOMO has hit its highest level since 2024. Open interest rose 7.6% to about $156 billion, pointing to fresh leverage building in the market.
Bitcoin (BTC) surged to a 7-month high on Monday, lifting market sentiment and institutional confidence with it.
The peak arrived after Bitcoin flashed a key bottom sign. Yet, two key signals raise questions about whether the rally can sustain itself.
Bitcoin Surges to a Level Last Seen In JanuaryBitcoin climbed to an intraday high of $87,395 on September 21, its strongest price since January 29. The asset traded at $85,326 at press time, up 4.90% over 24 hours.
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Bitcoin (BTC) Price Performance. Source: BeInCrypto MarketsThe rally followed a weekly close back above the 50-week moving average. This has historically served as a signal that bear-market lows are in.
A short squeeze supplied much of the fuel. Coinglass data showed $746.6 million in crypto liquidations over 24 hours, with shorts accounting for $647.9 million.
Market-wide trading volume rose 39% to roughly $224 billion as that forced buying accelerated the climb.
Sentiment and Institutional Flows Followed the PriceSentiment moved with the price. Analytics firm Santiment recorded the largest spike in bullish commentary since December 2024, with social volume tied to bullish language reaching 954 mentions, compared with 269 for bearish language.
The Crypto Fear and Greed Index climbed to 78, or Extreme Greed, from 70 on Monday and 69 a week earlier.
Crypto Market Sentiment. Source: Alternative.meCorporate treasuries stepped up alongside retail enthusiasm. Strive bought 1,355 Bitcoin for about $107.7 million between September 14 and September 18, well above the 469 coins it acquired the previous week. The purchase lifted Strive’s holdings to 26,355 Bitcoin.
Strategy returned to the market after a two-week pause. The company disclosed a purchase of 950 Bitcoin, which took its total to 846,000 coins.
Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) told a similar story. According to SoSoValue, the funds absorbed $999 million on September 21, their largest single day since October 6, 2025, with total net assets rising to $110.1 billion from $102.5 billion.
September flows still trail August, however. The funds have taken in roughly $1.3 billion across 14 sessions this month, compared with $3.5 billion in August.
What the Derivatives Data and the Coinbase Premium ShowTwo signals complicate the bullish case. The first is leverage. Open interest across crypto derivatives rose 7.59% to about $156 billion, even as shorts were liquidated. This suggested that traders opened new positions rather than reducing risk.
Santiment also flagged the contrarian sentiment signal.
“Crypto often punishes crowded expectations. Extreme fear can appear near exhaustion lows, while synchronized “higher from here” confidence can develop near local tops. The current sentiment spike doesn’t guarantee a reversal, but risk is less attractive now than when the crowd was fearful last week,” it said.
The second signal is US spot demand. The Coinbase Premium Index remains negative at -0.028, though it has recovered from deeper readings earlier in September.
The gauge tracks buying pressure on the US exchange, and it needs to hold that recovery to confirm domestic appetite.
Bitcoin Coinbase Premium. Source: CryptoQuantThe coming sessions will tell whether this marks a durable trend change or a move that leaned too heavily on a short squeeze to hold.
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PANews September 22 news, according to SoSoValue data, the crypto market rose across the board, with the AI sector performing strongly, up 9.66% in 24 hours. Among them, Bittensor (TAO) rose 18.97%, Akedo (AKE) surged 13.63%, and Fetch.ai (FET) rose 14.01%. Meanwhile, Bitcoin (BTC) rose 5.31%, breaking above $87,000 intraday; Ethereum (ETH) rose 2.63%, breaking above $2,700.
Notably, MAG7.ssi rose 4.54%, DEFI.ssi rose 0.01%, and MEME.ssi rose 11.08%.
In other sectors, the Meme sector rose 8.91% in 24 hours, with Pepe (PEPE) up 25.19%; the PayFi sector rose 4.22%, with eCash (XEC) up 10.11%; the Layer2 sector rose 2.77%, with ImmutableX (IMX) up 8.00%; the Layer1 sector rose 1.85%, with Sui (SUI) up 12.68%; the CeFi sector rose 1.49%, with Cronos (CRO) up 8.19%; and the DeFi sector rose 1.04%, with Raydium (RAY) up 7.14%. The crypto sector indices reflecting historical sector performance show that the ssiMeme, ssiAI, and ssiGameFi indices rose 11.54%, 9.74%, and 7.52%, respectively.
Bitcoin traded at $86,534.71 on Tuesday, up 6.6% over the past 24 hours and at its highest level since January, according to CoinGecko. The advance accelerated as the price cleared successive resistance levels, triggering a wave of short-seller liquidations that added forced buying pressure. Ether (ETH), Solana (SOL) and XRP all extended gains over the same period, and crypto-related stocks including Coinbase Global, Strategy and Riot Platforms rallied alongside the broader move.
A liquidation map shows the price levels at which leveraged derivatives positions would be automatically closed out, converting into forced buy or sell orders. On Hyperliquid, the decentralized perpetuals exchange whose order book CoinMarketCap draws on for its Bitcoin liquidation map, long positions sit exposed below the current price and short positions above it, with each level's bar sized by the leveraged position value stacked there.
Bitcoin liquidation map (Data: Coinmarketcap)At the time the map was captured, bitcoin traded at $85,798.67 on Hyperliquid, up 5.5%. It showed $91.75 million in long positions exposed to liquidation at $81,550, about 5% below spot, and $61.77 million in short positions exposed at $95,750, about 11.5% above spot. The single largest cluster on the chart, $219.38 million in potential liquidations, sits at $136,850, well above the current price. Across all levels shown, the map placed $1.54 billion in long liquidation exposure below the current price against $1.25 billion in short liquidation exposure above it.
That short-side exposure has fed Tuesday's rally. As bitcoin cleared successive levels over the past 24 hours, forced buying from liquidated short sellers added to the move, a dynamic traders describe as a short squeeze. A further advance toward the $95,750 cluster on Hyperliquid could trigger another round of short liquidations, while a reversal toward $81,550 would test the long positions stacked just below current levels.
The rally carried into crypto-related equities. Coinbase Global (COIN) gained 3.5% to $201.05, Strategy (MSTR) rose 9.47% to $168.50, Marathon Digital (MARA) added 1.89% to $13.49, and Riot Platforms (RIOT) climbed 4.76% to $24.88, according to Yahoo Finance quote data. Robinhood Markets (HOOD) rose 2.9% to $123.30. The iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) exchange-traded fund gained a more modest 0.6% to $43.30 during the regular session, then added a further 1.2% in after-hours trading as bitcoin extended its gains past the US market close.
Falling oil prices have eased inflation concerns and pulled Treasury yields lower, a backdrop that has also supported the rally. Traders appear to be looking past two recent setbacks for the industry, the Federal Reserve's September 16 policy decision and the Senate's September 15 failure to advance the Clarity Act, a digital asset market structure bill.
US spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds added $617.6 million in net inflows on September 21, according to Farside Investors, indicating that fresh spot demand from ETF investors reinforced the short squeeze rather than the rally being driven by derivatives positioning alone.
According to TradingBeats’ monitoring, an address starting with 0xf517 on Hyperliquid added a $25 million regular limit sell order for BTC at $89,444 this morning, intending to sell 279.50 BTC. It also kept a $6.25 million take-profit order at $88,777, with total non-position-reduction sell orders above this level totaling roughly $30.5 million. As of press time, the address still holds the long position, with an average entry price of ~$81,273.5, position value of ~$6.034 million, and unrealized profit of ~$312,000. No BTC trades have been executed today so far. If the position and orders remain unchanged and filled, the address will flip from long to short, opening a maximum short position of ~341.38 BTC. Meanwhile, the address still holds regular buy orders worth ~$47.196 million in the $67,777–$78,777 range, including a ~$20 million order at the $78,777 level.
22 September 2026 | 09:30 X has added a trade button to Bitcoin and stock cashtags for eligible US users. The feature begins on X, but the order is completed through a separate financial platform.
The button connects X posts with outside trading accounts X Business announced Cashtag Partners on September 21, presenting it as a way to connect financial conversations with trading.
Introducing Cashtag Partners for stocks and crypto 🚀
X is the best source of financial news for traders and investors, and we’ve made it easier than ever to connect financial conversations with the ability to trade. https://t.co/52cqDNqwix
— Business (@XBusiness) September 21, 2026
Eligible users can select a cashtag such as $BTC, view market information and related posts, and then choose a trading partner. According to CoinDesk’s report, the available partners include Coinbase, Kraken, Gemini, Interactive Brokers and Moomoo.
The current rollout is limited to the United States. X has not announced when the feature will reach other countries or confirmed that every US account will receive access immediately. Availability may also differ by state, asset and partner because each exchange or broker applies its own account and geographic restrictions.
The launch advances the direction covered in our earlier report on X’s crypto and trading super-app plans. X provides the discovery and entry point, while regulated financial companies supply the accounts and execution infrastructure.
What happens after a user taps “Trade”
1. Select the cashtag
The user opens the market page attached to a symbol such as $BTC.
2. Choose a partner
X presents an exchange or brokerage through which the asset may be traded.
3. Sign in or open an account
The selected partner performs its own identity checks and determines whether the user is eligible.
4. Review and place the order
The partner supplies the executable price, processes the order and handles the resulting cash or assets.
The price shown on X may not be the price a buyer receives A chart or market price displayed beside a cashtag is informational. It is not necessarily an executable quote.
When the user reaches the selected platform, the final price can depend on that venue’s order book, spread and fees. It can also change during the handoff, particularly when the market is moving quickly.
The order type matters as well. A market order generally executes at the best prices currently available, while a limit order allows the buyer to set the maximum price they are prepared to pay. Neither option guarantees that the price previously displayed on X will still be available.
Any Bitcoin purchased through the feature is held or withdrawn under the selected exchange’s rules. It does not sit inside the user’s X profile, and an X account does not replace an exchange or brokerage account.
Several commercial details remain unanswered The announcement explains the basic user journey, but it leaves important parts of the partnership model undisclosed.
X has not yet explained: When Cashtag Partners will become available outside the United States Whether every eligible US account will receive the feature at the same time How participating exchanges and brokers are ordered on the screen Whether X receives referral payments when users open accounts or trade Whether additional partners can join and under what conditions Those omissions matter because the order in which platforms appear could influence where users trade. Any referral arrangement would also help explain how X plans to turn financial conversations into revenue. Until X publishes those terms, however, it would be speculative to describe the links as either paid placements or neutral rankings.
A shorter route leaves less time to check the original claim The new button reduces the number of steps between seeing a financial post and reaching an order screen. That convenience also makes the quality of the original information more important.
A trade link does not verify that the post beside it is accurate. It does not mean X, Coinbase or another partner endorses the author’s price prediction. It only provides a faster route to a platform where the user can act.
Three checks before placing an order Check the source: determine whether the post links to an official filing, announcement or verifiable dataset. Check the quote: compare the executable price and fees on the partner platform with the reference price shown on X. Check the order: confirm the asset, amount and order type before submitting it. Cashtag Partners does not turn X into a crypto exchange. It turns the platform into a distribution gateway positioned between financial attention and the companies that execute trades.
That distinction is commercially significant. X can influence where a user begins the process without operating the trading account itself. The partner receives the customer and handles the transaction; X controls the moment when interest is most likely to become action.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Partner availability, fees and geographic restrictions may change.
Author
Kosta has reported on cryptocurrency markets and blockchain infrastructure since 2020, bringing over six years of hands-on experience in the crypto industry built through daily tracking of markets, trends, and emerging blockchain developments. Specializing in Bitcoin on-chain analysis, institutional ETF flows, and digital asset price action, his work at Coindoo has been cited by other news agencies and consistently covers market developments with a focus on data-driven reporting across Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP. Over the years, Kosta has contributed to multiple crypto media outlets in different regions, authoring over 6,000 articles across the sector. His reporting spans cryptocurrency markets and the broader fintech industry, tracking not only price action but also the technological and regulatory forces shaping the ecosystem. To support his analysis, Kosta actively leverages on-chain data and metrics from leading platforms such as Santiment, Glassnode, and CryptoQuant, enabling deeper, evidence-based market insights. He believes in the power of transparency and the data that underpins the blockchain ecosystem. His academic background in Marketing Management from Denmark further complements his analytical approach, adding a strong understanding of communication strategy and content positioning to his work.
Not financial or tax advice. PANews content is strictly educational and informational and is not investment advice, financial advice, tax advice, legal advice, or a solicitation to buy or sell any digital asset, security, or financial product. Do your own research and consult qualified advisers.
Disclosure. PANews may publish sponsored content, partner content, advertisements, affiliate links, event promotions, and market commentary involving Web3 projects, service providers, or financial products. PANews personnel, contributors, or affiliates may hold digital assets or other interests related to covered topics. See our Terms of Service.
X has expanded its U.S. Cashtag system by linking stock, ETF and cryptocurrency pages to five outside trading platforms, giving users a shorter route from financial posts to order execution.
Summary
X now connects supported Cashtags to five U.S. brokerages and crypto exchanges for trade execution. Users can view live charts on X before completing trades through participating external brokerage platforms. Coinbase, Kraken, Gemini, Interactive Brokers and Moomoo joined the U.S. Cashtag program during initial launch. Kraken says its Cashtag integration supports nearly 2,500 assets across centralized and decentralized trading offerings. X previously estimated its April Cashtag pilot drove roughly $1 billion in global trading volume. X announced the U.S. Cashtag Partner Program with Coinbase, Gemini, Kraken, Interactive Brokers and Moomoo, allowing users to select “Trade” after opening a supported ticker such as $BTC or $TSLA. The transaction itself takes place through the selected partner’s mobile app or website, not on X.
Introducing Cashtag Partners for stocks and crypto 🚀
X is the best source of financial news for traders and investors, and we've made it easier than ever to connect financial conversations with the ability to trade. pic.twitter.com/52cqDNqwix
— Business (@XBusiness) September 21, 2026 X Cashtags now connect market posts with trading platforms Under the new flow, a user can search for a supported Cashtag or tap one appearing in a post. X displays a live price chart and posts linked to the asset before presenting participating trading providers. Users then choose a brokerage or exchange, sign into an existing account or create one, and complete the trade there.
The setup keeps order execution with companies already operating trading platforms. X does not describe itself as executing the transaction under the Cashtag program, and its launch instructions direct users to the partner platform for the final order. Eligibility, account opening, asset availability and trading terms therefore depend on the selected provider.
Product Engineering Lead Mridul Singhai said, “Cashtags close the gap between a ticker on the timeline and the market itself.” His statement describes X’s goal of reducing the number of steps between viewing a financial discussion and reaching a trading venue.
The program extends the U.S. Cashtag launch with Coinbase, Kraken and other trading partners, which crypto.news previously reported went live with five participating platforms and required trades to be completed outside X.
Kraken and Interactive Brokers confirm launch participation Kraken independently confirmed that it is an official U.S. Cashtag launch partner. When a user selects Kraken from a supported ticker page, X sends the user to Kraken’s app or web interface, where account authentication and trade execution occur.
Kraken said its integration supports Cashtags covering nearly 2,500 assets across its centralized exchange and decentralized exchange offering. The figure describes Kraken’s supported asset coverage and does not mean every X Cashtag necessarily routes to every asset or trading product for every customer. Geographic restrictions and account eligibility still apply.
Interactive Brokers separately confirmed the integration for U.S. investors. Its system allows a user viewing an asset on X to continue to the IBKR platform, where the person can research the asset or submit an order. New eligible U.S. clients opening and funding qualifying accounts through the Cashtag experience can receive a $100 promotional credit under Interactive Brokers’ launch offer.
Moomoo has described itself as one of X’s first U.S.-regulated brokerage partners. Its integration sends users from supported stock Cashtags to relevant Moomoo pages containing market data, research tools and trading access.
X identified Coinbase and Gemini as the remaining launch partners in its announcement. The social platform has not published a single universal list showing which assets each provider accepts through Cashtags, meaning coverage can differ by brokerage or exchange.
X built the trade links on its Smart Cashtags rollout The brokerage links build on Smart Cashtags, which X began rolling out earlier in 2026. The feature tied ticker symbols and crypto contract addresses to specific asset pages containing real-time charts and related conversations, reducing confusion when different tokens use similar names or ticker symbols.
Crypto.news previously covered the Smart Cashtags rollout for crypto tickers and contract addresses, which initially focused on identifying specific financial assets and displaying market information within X.
An expanded version reached iPhone users in the U.S. and Canada in April. X Head of Product Nikita Bier later said aggregated information from the trading pilot indicated the feature had driven an “estimated $1 billion” in global trading volume within several days. The number came from X and has not been independently audited, so it remains a company estimate.
The April rollout used Wealthsimple as a trading connection for Canadian users, while the September program introduces a dedicated group of U.S. partners. X has not disclosed commercial terms, referral payments or revenue-sharing arrangements between itself and the five U.S. trading companies.
Cashtag trading remains separate from X Money The Cashtag program is separate from X Money, the platform’s payments product. Crypto.news reported earlier this year that the company had begun an X Money rollout to selected Premium+ users, including peer-to-peer payments, a digital wallet and other account features.
Nothing in the Cashtag Partner Program announcement says users can fund Coinbase, Kraken, Gemini, Interactive Brokers or Moomoo trades directly from an X Money balance. X’s documented process sends the user from the Cashtag page to the selected partner, where that company handles login, onboarding and execution.
The current U.S. rollout covers stocks, ETFs and cryptocurrencies where supported. Interactive Brokers states that the Cashtag integration is currently available to U.S.-based investors, while product access still varies according to account type, affiliate and residence.
Kraken’s announcement similarly describes the partnership as a U.S. launch. Its users can move from an X Cashtag to Kraken and complete eligible transactions through Kraken’s own infrastructure, subject to the exchange’s normal account requirements.
X has not announced a date for expanding the five-partner program beyond the United States or disclosed whether more brokerages will join. Kraken said “more to come” when describing its participation, but neither company provided a schedule or named additional trading partners.
US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds drew $999 million in net inflows in a single session on September 21, marking one of the strongest days for these investment vehicles in recent months. This substantial influx coincided with a sharp rally in Bitcoin’s price in the past 24 hours.
Major ETF inflows surgeBlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led all spot Bitcoin ETFs, taking in $381.4 million. ARK 21Shares’ ARKB followed closely, recording $289.1 million in net inflows. Fidelity’s FBTC captured $238.8 million.
Bitwise’s BITB added $21.6 million, while MSBT brought in $61.7 million. Grayscale’s GBTC and BTC funds registered smaller inflows of $3.3 million and $3.1 million respectively. Notably, none of the listed US spot Bitcoin ETFs experienced net outflows during the session.
ETFNet InflowsIBIT (BlackRock)$381.4 millionARKB (ARK 21Shares)$289.1 millionFBTC (Fidelity)$238.8 millionMSBT$61.7 millionBITB (Bitwise)$21.6 millionGBTC (Grayscale)$3.3 millionBTC (Grayscale)$3.1 millionInstitutional demand reboundsThe $999 million total comes after a notable turnaround in institutional participation. On September 18, Bitcoin ETFs attracted $433 million in inflows, on top of $159.5 million added the previous day. Over the last three trading sessions, spot Bitcoin ETFs have absorbed approximately $1.59 billion.
This resurgence follows elevated withdrawals earlier in the month. On September 15, net outflows reached $450.4 million, while September 16 saw another $295.9 million leave Bitcoin ETFs.
Bitcoin price rallies alongside ETF surgeThe rise in ETF inflows coincided with a strong move in Bitcoin’s spot price. BTC started the 24-hour period trading around $81,000 to $82,000 and climbed rapidly. The price passed $83,000 and eventually approached $87,000 at its session high.
Later in the session, Bitcoin pared some of those gains to around $85,200 at press time, remaining up roughly 5% from the day’s opening level.
IBIT, FBTC, and ARKB collectively accounted for over $909 million, representing around 91% of total ETF inflows for the session.
Analysts stated that the strong inflows and rising Bitcoin price indicate renewed institutional demand after a period of selling pressure earlier in the month.
Market outlookThe next trading sessions are poised to test the durability of this renewed interest. Sustained ETF inflows could signal that institutional buying is more than just a one-day rebound. On the other hand, another shift to outflows might reveal lingering caution among investors navigating Bitcoin’s recent volatility.
Spot Bitcoin ETFs allow investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin price movements without directly holding the cryptocurrency. These products are generally seen as a bridge for traditional institutions and individuals seeking regulated access to Bitcoin markets.
Mini dictionary: Spot Bitcoin ETF – An exchange-traded fund that directly tracks the current price of Bitcoin and holds the underlying cryptocurrency, allowing investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin price changes via regulated financial products.
Key Highlights Bitcoin surged past $82,000 resistance and reached $87,000, marking an eight-month peak, following the liquidation of approximately $750 million in short positions. U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs experienced a dramatic reversal, shifting from $746 million in outflows earlier in the week to $433 million in inflows by week’s end. Strategy expanded its bitcoin treasury by purchasing 950 BTC worth $75.7 million, bringing total holdings to 846,000 coins. Market watchers identify $90,000 and $92,000 as critical resistance zones ahead. Debate continues among traders regarding whether genuine spot demand or excessive leverage is driving the current price action. Bitcoin achieved a significant milestone this week, pushing to $87,000—a price level not seen in eight months. The surge followed a decisive breakthrough above the $82,000 resistance that had capped gains since August.
Bitcoin (BTC) Price The breakout ignited a cascade of liquidations targeting bearish traders. Data from CoinGlass reveals approximately $750 million in short positions were forcibly closed.
“Bitcoin up 5% this morning due to short perpetual futures contracts being liquidated,” explained Jim Ferraioli, head of crypto research at Schwab.
Liquidations of short positions require exchanges to purchase bitcoin for closing these trades. This automatic buying intensified upward momentum in an already bullish market.
Market analyst Daan Crypto ($BTC) shared on X that he anticipated the breach of $83,000. He highlighted the formation of a weekly higher high and described the technical setup as bullish, while cautioning that a fall below this threshold would alter his outlook.
$BTC Been pretty confident that we'd see the $83K level broken at some point.
We finally did get that weekly higher high with this breakout.
Now we'll have to see if this can keep going and make for a solid weekly close. A rejection below at this point would not be great. But… https://t.co/YFiDn2DsCU pic.twitter.com/rxKnnbKoLh
— Daan Crypto Trades (@DaanCrypto) September 21, 2026
Derivative Markets Show Rapid Expansion Open interest in futures markets—measuring aggregate value of active derivative contracts—expanded more aggressively than spot prices. Coinalyze data shows approximately $2 billion in fresh leveraged positions emerged following the breakout.
Nicolai Sondergaard, senior research analyst at Nansen, observed that price momentum has outpaced actual positioning changes among traders. He emphasized the need for consistent spot market and ETF accumulation to validate the rally’s strength.
Santiment Intelligence documented the dramatic sentiment shift. The analytics firm reported bitcoin FOMO reached its peak level for 2024, with $648 million in bearish contracts eliminated within 24 hours and trading volume jumping 39%. Notably, open interest rose 7.6% to approximately $156 billion despite the clearing of shorts, indicating traders are establishing new leveraged positions rather than reducing exposure.
🚨 BREAKING: Bitcoin FOMO Hits Highest Level Since 2024!
🚀 Crypto’s mood has flipped hard into celebration. Talk of Bitcoin and crypto expected to go even “higher” or staying bullish has surged far above bearish language as $BTC pushed toward $87K, helped by a massive short… pic.twitter.com/8lt1zw3yfm
— Santiment Intelligence (@SantimentData) September 21, 2026
ETF Market Witnesses Sharp Turnaround U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs recorded combined outflows of $746 million across Tuesday and Wednesday of last week. The withdrawals coincided with the Senate’s failure to pass the Clarity Act and the Federal Reserve’s interest rate increase.
U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $999 million in net inflows on Sept. 21, according to SoSoValue, led by BlackRock’s IBIT with $381 million. Spot Ether ETFs added another $270 million, with BlackRock’s ETHA attracting $110 million. pic.twitter.com/RtvSstQVGl
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) September 22, 2026
The tide turned dramatically thereafter. ETFs attracted $160 million on Thursday, followed by $433 million on Friday—the strongest daily performance of the week.
The price surge elevated the average entry price for U.S. bitcoin ETF investors to $82,225. This milestone means numerous ETF participants are experiencing positive returns for the first time in several months.
Institutional accumulation provided additional momentum. Strategy revealed it acquired 950 bitcoin for $75.7 million between September 14 and September 20, expanding its aggregate position to 846,000 coins.
Concurrently, the company repurchased 1.77 million shares of its STRC preferred stock for $174 million during the identical timeframe, advancing its strategy to reduce dividend commitments.
Bitcoin successfully recaptured its 50-week moving average, a significant long-term technical indicator monitored by many market participants. Wintermute OTC trader Jasper De Maere suggested this reclaim reinforces confidence that June’s bottom will remain intact.
Declining oil prices and Treasury yields fostered a broader risk-on environment across cryptocurrency markets this week. Following the Clarity Act’s Senate defeat, the SEC and CFTC unveiled separate cryptocurrency regulatory frameworks.
As of Tuesday morning, bitcoin was changing hands at $85,561.60, registering a 4.9% intraday gain.
Key Takeaways Former BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes suggests declining AI investment may ultimately support Bitcoin if resulting debt pressures trigger institutional bailouts. The hypothesis revolves around substantial debt financing currently supporting AI infrastructure, including data centers and semiconductor purchases. Hayes believes reduced AI demand might create strain within private credit markets and insurance companies with indirect exposure to AI-backed debt. While regulators recognize private credit vulnerabilities, existing evidence doesn’t indicate U.S. insurers face insolvency from AI-related holdings. Bitcoin hovered around $85,700 in early Tuesday trading following a more than 6% advance in the prior session. Arthur Hayes, who previously served as CEO of BitMEX, contends that a collapse in artificial intelligence spending might paradoxically create favorable conditions for Bitcoin. His reasoning suggests that diminished demand for AI computational resources could destabilize heavily leveraged data center operations and private lending markets, ultimately forcing interventions that expand dollar liquidity.
Check out my new essay "Safety First".
Trump has a choice, print or print.
"Did you hear that? The AI bros suddenly developed a conscience and are worried about humanity’s survival in the face of their almost silicon-God’s ascendance. It’s been almost silicon-God for some time… pic.twitter.com/xMRydV3lFf
— Arthur Hayes (@CryptoHayes) September 22, 2026
In an essay dated September 22 titled Safety First, Hayes laid out his thesis, questioning whether recent appeals to moderate frontier AI advancement might partially stem from deteriorating profit margins, despite public statements from OpenAI and Anthropic emphasizing safety and security rather than declining revenue.
Debt Financing Forms Foundation of Hayes’ BTC Outlook Hayes contends that weakening demand for AI training operations and inference capabilities could destabilize the financial assumptions underpinning data center construction, chip acquisitions, and private lending arrangements. Apollo has projected approximately $5 trillion in AI infrastructure expenditures extending to 2030, with AI-focused financing potentially enabling over $2 trillion in additional investment-grade obligations.
These projections illustrate the magnitude of capital flowing toward AI ventures, though they don’t confirm an inevitable credit catastrophe. Apollo has cautioned that disappointing cash-flow performance among leading hyperscalers might produce widening credit spreads and diminished capital expenditures.
Hayes identifies insurance providers and private lenders as potential vulnerability points. His framework assumes that credit losses or rating downgrades on AI-linked obligations could generate difficulties for entities holding such instruments, especially where leverage or related reinsurance arrangements exist.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners acknowledges that private credit presents challenges including reduced liquidity, limited pricing transparency, and infrequent valuation updates compared to publicly traded debt. Nevertheless, regulators characterize these factors as requiring ongoing surveillance rather than signaling widespread portfolio deterioration.
Hayes Anticipates Liquidity Expansion from Potential Rescue Measures Hayes describes two potential government responses should AI infrastructure economics falter. One scenario involves federal support for computational capacity demand, while another encompasses financial assistance if private credit deterioration threatens insurance companies and their policyholders.
U.S. officials have not announced such policies in response to any AI debt emergency. Hayes argues both pathways could necessitate expanded borrowing or monetary liquidity, which he projects would bolster Bitcoin and comparable scarce assets.
Recent Federal Reserve actions complicate this outlook in the immediate term. The Fed implemented a 25 basis point rate increase on September 16, bringing the benchmark range to 3.75%-4%, citing persistent inflation concerns.
AI capital deployment continues robustly despite ongoing safety discussions. Nvidia recently announced financing programs partnering with prominent investment institutions, while SoftBank has commenced marketing over $11 billion in bond offerings to support its OpenAI stake.
Hayes’ Bitcoin projection consequently relies on a prospective sequence of developments rather than present circumstances. Bitcoin traded near $85,700 early Tuesday after registering gains exceeding 6% in the previous trading session.
Digital assets have reclaimed $3 trillion in market value for the first time since January after Bitcoin’s stunning rally, but traders are also piling into leveraged bets in perpetual futures, increasing the risk of rapid price swings.
The market has added more than $740 billion in value since the US Treasury’s announcement last month that it would increase buybacks of long-dated bonds, according to CoinGecko data. Leverage is building alongside the gains. Open interest in perpetual futures across tokens has climbed to nearly $160 billion, the highest since late October last year, Coinglass data show.
More than $920 million in bearish bets were liquidated on Monday as prices surged. A continued unwinding of short positions could fuel a squeeze, as traders rush to buy back assets to close losing bets, adding further upward pressure on prices. Yet open interest continued to rise, suggesting new leveraged positions are entering the market even as shorts are forced out.
“A squeeze normally destroys open interest,” said Rachael Lucas, an analyst at BTC Markets. “This one didn’t, which means positions are being replaced immediately. Traders are chasing this, not de-risking into it. That’s why the next 5% in either direction will be faster than people expect.”
Bitcoin retreated to $85,100 on Tuesday after surging nearly 8% in the US session to $87,381, its highest level since January.
Reversal Risk
Perpetual futures — contracts with no fixed expiry — are the largest segment of crypto trading by volume and an important gauge of speculative positioning.
The current combination of open interest — the number of open contracts — rising while short positions are being closed suggests the rally isn’t simply a case of traders closing bearish positions and reducing leverage. They’re being replaced by fresh exposure, which means a price move either way could trigger a wave of short liquidations or an unwinding of leveraged longs.
“The main thing to watch is leverage running ahead of spot,” said Caleb Lin, senior sales trader at QCP Group. “Rising perp open interest is healthy when spot is coming with it. When it builds faster, the market becomes reflexive: a modest reversal triggers long liquidations, which push prices lower and force further deleveraging.”
That’s the same mechanism that led to the move upward through $83,000, forcing shorts out, Lin added. “Long-side leverage building against thin spot sets up the same conditions in reverse.”
The latest move also comes as institutional interest has picked up in Bitcoin and select smaller tokens. US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds swung positive at the end of last week, attracting $593 million of inflows over Thursday and Friday.
Altcoins have joined the rally, with privacy-focused Zcash climbing sharply while HYPE, the native token of the Hyperliquid blockchain, surged to a record high.
For now traders aren’t convinced about the sustainability of the rally. “Short squeezes produce price, they don’t produce holders,” Lucas said. “I will be watching whether spot demand replaces the forced covering over the next week.”
Billionaire venture capitalist Tim Draper has urged Apple and Meta to hold Bitcoin on their balance sheets, arguing that leaving major corporate reserves entirely outside BTC creates financial risk.
Summary
Tim Draper says Apple and Meta should hold Bitcoin as protection against future monetary instability. Apple reported $146.5 billion in cash and marketable securities without disclosing Bitcoin holdings in June. Meta reported $90.3 billion in cash and marketable securities without disclosing Bitcoin holdings in June. Microsoft shareholders rejected a Bitcoin treasury assessment in 2024, with only 0.55% recorded voting support. Meta shareholders rejected their 2025 Bitcoin treasury assessment after its board recommended voting against it. Bitcoin Magazine published the comments on Sept. 21 following a 30-minute interview in which Draper called it “irresponsible” for large technology companies to maintain no Bitcoin exposure. He tied his position to U.S. government spending and warned that the fiscal path could eventually produce either hyperinflation or interest rates high enough to create problems for banks.
Draper’s comments represent his investment view, not a company policy change at Apple or Meta. Neither company’s most recent quarterly filing discloses Bitcoin among its treasury assets.
Tim Draper wants companies to keep operating cash in Bitcoin During the interview, Draper argued that businesses should maintain roughly four weeks of operating expenses in Bitcoin, while individuals should consider holding around six months of expenses in BTC. He said governments should maintain Bitcoin exposure as a hedge against problems in traditional monetary systems.
Tim Draper says Apple, Meta should hold Bitcoin
Billionaire investor Tim Draper believes it is “irresponsible” for major tech companies like Apple and Meta not to hold Bitcoin on their balance sheets. He argues that current government spending trends will inevitably lead to…
— PiQ (@PiQMarkets) September 21, 2026 His argument extends beyond a conventional inflation hedge. Draper said corporate boards with no Bitcoin exposure could leave companies vulnerable if banks holding their cash fail. Bitcoin, in his view, provides an alternative asset held outside the conventional banking structure.
Draper has long promoted Bitcoin as part of a decentralized financial system. In the latest interview, he linked blockchain technology with artificial intelligence, smart contracts and software automation, arguing that technological development could reduce dependence on payment intermediaries, accountants and other centralized service providers.
His monetary forecast remains highly uncertain. No official U.S. projection says hyperinflation is inevitable, and current fiscal data do not establish such an outcome. Treasury figures do, however, show continued large federal deficits.
Data sourced from the U.S. Treasury showed a $167 billion federal deficit in August. During the first 11 months of fiscal 2026, federal outlays reached roughly $6.8 trillion against around $4.8 trillion in receipts, producing a cumulative deficit close to $2 trillion.
Those figures document current borrowing requirements but do not confirm Draper’s prediction that the fiscal path must end in hyperinflation or a banking crisis.
Apple and Meta still disclose no Bitcoin treasury holdings Apple’s latest quarterly filing provides a clear view of the scale of the balance sheet Draper wants partly exposed to Bitcoin.
Apple reported $39.54 billion in cash and cash equivalents as of June 27, alongside $22.86 billion of current marketable securities and $84.12 billion of non-current marketable securities. Together, those categories totaled approximately $146.5 billion.
The filing lists cash, money-market funds, U.S. Treasury securities, government agency securities, corporate securities and other conventional investments. A search of the Form 10-Q produced no reference to Bitcoin.
Apple’s February 2026 annual shareholder meeting did not feature a Bitcoin treasury proposal. Its five voting items covered directors, its auditor, executive compensation, a director stock plan and a shareholder proposal concerning China.
Meta’s latest filing presents a similar picture. Meta reported $15.46 billion of cash and cash equivalents and $74.80 billion in marketable securities as of June 30, giving it approximately $90.3 billion across the two categories.
Its disclosed portfolio included money-market funds, U.S. government securities, agency debt, corporate debt and marketable equities. Meta’s latest Form 10-Q contains no reference to Bitcoin.
Meta and Microsoft shareholders previously rejected Bitcoin proposals Meta has already faced a formal shareholder request to consider Bitcoin.
A 2025 shareholder proposal asked the board to prepare an assessment of whether adding Bitcoin to Meta’s treasury would serve shareholder interests. The company’s board recommended voting against the proposal, saying its existing treasury management process already considered multiple investable asset classes.
As crypto.news previously reported, the Meta Bitcoin treasury proposal was submitted by Ethan Peck on behalf of a family trust. The proposal argued that holding conventional cash and bonds could reduce purchasing power and asked Meta to assess Bitcoin as another reserve asset.
Shareholders rejected the proposal at Meta’s May 28, 2025 annual meeting. Meta recorded 3,916,871 votes in favor, compared with 4,980,828,562 against and 8,857,588 abstentions.
Microsoft encountered a similar campaign months earlier. Its shareholders rejected an assessment of investing in Bitcoin at the December 2024 annual meeting after the board recommended voting against the measure.
The SEC filing showed only 0.55% of votes supported the proposal, with 28.23 million shares voting for it and more than 5.14 billion voting against.
Crypto.news covered the Microsoft shareholder rejection of a Bitcoin treasury assessment after the vote. Microsoft had argued that its treasury team already evaluated a range of investment assets and did not need the requested assessment.
Draper keeps his $250,000 Bitcoin forecast Draper used the latest interview to repeat another long-standing position: his $250,000 Bitcoin price target. Bitcoin Magazine reported that he now connects the target with future Bitcoin halvings and the resulting reduction in new supply.
The $250,000 level remains Draper’s forecast and is not supported by any guaranteed timeline. His previous Bitcoin price calls have frequently carried dates that passed before the target was reached.
Corporate adoption remains uneven. Some listed companies have built business models around holding Bitcoin, while large technology groups continue to keep most liquid reserves in cash, government securities and other traditional instruments.
The corporate Bitcoin treasury model has expanded enough to create a separate class of public companies whose valuations are closely tied to their crypto reserves. At the same time, several treasury companies have faced pressure when Bitcoin prices fell or financing costs increased.
Strategy remains the best-known corporate adopter, though its treasury strategy has changed during 2026 as it manages financing obligations and liquidity. Recent crypto.news reporting documented Strategy’s move from constant accumulation toward active Bitcoin treasury management after the company began selling portions of its holdings.
Draper did not say Apple or Meta had entered discussions to acquire Bitcoin, nor did he disclose conversations with either company about changing treasury policy. His Sept. 21 comments were an investment recommendation made during the Bitcoin Magazine interview.
Bitcoin's brief tryst above $87,000 has flipped market sentiment sharply. But Santiment believes "risk is less attractive now than when the crowd was fearful last week."
Bitcoin pushed past $87,000 on Monday before stabilizing a little below it. But the rally has triggered a strong surge in market optimism.
In fact, Santiment found that Bitcoin-related FOMO has reached a level not seen since late 2024.
$648M in Shorts Gone Social media discussions are now heavily tilted toward expectations of more gains. The shift comes after a strong short squeeze pushed prices higher. Around $648 million in bearish crypto positions were liquidated within 24 hours. This added fresh buying pressure to the market.
To top that, crypto trading volume also jumped 39% during the move. However, traders are also taking on more leverage. Open interest across the crypto market rose about 7.6% to $156 billion, even after a large number of short positions were wiped out. This suggests some traders are quickly opening new positions instead of reducing risk.
According to Santiment, however, this extreme optimism can become a warning sign when market expectations become too one-sided. The current sentiment does not guarantee a price reversal. But the big jump from fear to FOMO indicates that traders are becoming increasingly confident after BTC’s latest move higher.
But some experts believe that the latest rally may have more room to run. Analyst Doctor Profit said Bitcoin is repeating a pattern seen during the 2022-2023 period. The asset recently surged past the crucial level of the 50-week moving average, which sits around $78,700. A weekly close above this could further strengthen the bullish case. The analyst also identified $88,000 as the next major target if Bitcoin clears the remaining resistance levels.
Bullish Regime On a longer timeframe, ‘The Long Investor’ projected a Wave 5 target of $350,000 by 2030. Crypto Patel, on the other hand, has set his sights much higher. The asset’s previous major cycles showed a 364-day gap between the market peak and bottom. That same timing has now appeared again. If history keeps rhyming, the analyst sees $370,000 as a possible next destination for BTC.
You may also like: Massive $1 Billion in Liquidations as Bitcoin Taps $87K: What’s Next? From Bear Trap to $88K: Analyst Reveals Why Bitcoin’s Rally Isn’t Over Bitcoin (BTC) Just Reached $86K: There’s Just One Problem After taking into consideration various cost basis models and time frames, Glassnode also stated that Bitcoin remains in a “bullish regime” while adding that its price trades above both the True Market Mean and the short-term holder cost basis.
“Holding above these levels is what historically defines a sustained uptrend.”
Arthur Hayes, former CEO of the cryptocurrency derivatives exchange BitMEX, suggests that declining investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure could set the stage for a significant Bitcoin rally. Hayes, a prominent figure in the digital asset industry, argues that a slowdown in AI development spending may increase debt market stress, potentially prompting interventions that expand US dollar liquidity and benefit Bitcoin.
Hayes sees risk in debt-fueled AI expansionIn his essay “Safety First,” published on September 22, Hayes questioned recent calls from AI companies to slow the pace of advanced artificial intelligence progress. He argued that these appeals might reflect shrinking profitability in the sector, despite public messaging from organizations such as OpenAI and Anthropic that focuses on safety and ethical development.
Hayes pointed to the vast amount of debt currently financing AI infrastructure. Major investment managers, including Apollo Global Management, have estimated that AI-related infrastructure spending will reach approximately $5 trillion by 2030. Of this sum, more than $2 trillion could be underpinned by investment-grade financing, supporting data center construction, semiconductor purchases, and other high-cost capital projects.
AI infrastructure is being aggressively financed with debt, and any decline in demand or profitability could create significant strain in credit markets tied to AI.
According to Apollo, any weakening in the revenues of leading data center operators, commonly called “hyperscalers,” could widen credit spreads and curtail future capital spending, thereby increasing the risk of credit losses within the sector.
Mini dictionary: Apollo Global Management, a leading global investment manager, specializes in private equity, credit, and real assets, with extensive involvement in large-scale infrastructure and alternative investments.
Private lenders, insurers exposed to AI credit risksHayes highlighted that private credit providers—including insurance companies—could be vulnerable if AI-linked obligations suffer credit downgrades or losses. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has acknowledged the challenges posed by private credit markets, noting reduced liquidity and limited transparency compared to traditional publicly traded debt.
Credit losses or ratings downgrades for AI-backed obligations may put pressure on financial institutions holding such assets, especially among insurers and leveraged private lenders.
However, US regulators have stated that these risk factors currently warrant close monitoring but do not indicate widespread portfolio distress among major insurers.
Potential for broader liquidity supportHayes outlined two possible policy responses if the economics of AI infrastructure collapse: government efforts to stimulate demand for computing resources, or direct financial assistance to support private credit markets and insurance companies. He reasoned that either approach would likely inject more currency into the financial system, serving as a catalyst for Bitcoin and other finite digital assets.
At present, US authorities have not introduced policies in response to AI-related credit stress. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve raised its policy rate by 25 basis points to a range of 3.75%–4% on September 16, citing persistent inflation. This move has increased the cost of capital, potentially affecting heavily leveraged sectors such as AI.
Investment into AI remains robust, with Nvidia recently unveiling new financing initiatives in partnership with leading financial institutions, and SoftBank marketing more than $11 billion in bonds to finance its OpenAI stake.
Hayes’s view of a Bitcoin rally driven by AI market collapse rests on a sequence of events that has yet to unfold. Bitcoin traded near $85,700 in early Tuesday trading, following a rise of more than 6% in the previous session.
X introduces functionality allowing U.S. users to click on cashtags like $BTC and $TSLA for real-time charts and direct platform access. Partnerships established with Coinbase, Kraken, Gemini, Interactive Brokers, and Moomoo for trading execution. X functions as a gateway only, with all transactions and asset custody handled by partner platforms. This enhancement builds upon the existing Smart Cashtags functionality, extending beyond simple data display. The integration represents another milestone in X’s evolution toward comprehensive financial services. Elon Musk’s social media platform X has streamlined the process for American users to transition from financial discussions directly to cryptocurrency and equity trading platforms. The new functionality allows users to interact with designated cashtags like $BTC or $TSLA, access real-time market data, and utilize a newly introduced Trade feature.
Introducing Cashtag Partners for stocks and crypto 🚀
X is the best source of financial news for traders and investors, and we've made it easier than ever to connect financial conversations with the ability to trade. pic.twitter.com/52cqDNqwix
— Business (@XBusiness) September 21, 2026
When users select the Trade function, they’re redirected to one of X’s partner platforms: Coinbase, Kraken, Gemini, Interactive Brokers, or Moomoo. All transaction execution and asset management occurs on these external platforms rather than within X’s ecosystem.
X Establishes Trading Partnerships with Leading Financial Platforms X has enhanced its Cashtag Partner Program to create a bridge between financial conversations and actual trading capabilities. The partnership roster includes Coinbase, Kraken, and Gemini for cryptocurrency markets, alongside Interactive Brokers and Moomoo for conventional securities.
Following redirection from X, users can either authenticate with existing credentials or establish new accounts. The range of accessible assets, account requirements, and trading features varies based on the selected provider.
The platform maintains a hands-off approach to actual trading operations—X doesn’t function as a licensed broker, process transactions, or maintain customer assets. Partner financial institutions retain full responsibility for account management, regulatory compliance, and order fulfillment.
Cashtags have been a fixture on X for an extended period, serving as tools for tracking asset-specific conversations. The platform enhanced this functionality earlier in the year by incorporating live pricing data and graphical market representations.
This recent development streamlines the journey from observing market commentary to accessing trading capabilities. According to X Product Engineering Lead Mridul Singhai, cashtags now effectively bridge the divide between ticker discussions in feeds and actual marketplace engagement.
Enhanced Visual Data for Bitcoin, Tesla, and Coinbase X has introduced Big Charts to its Smart Cashtags offering, delivering expanded interactive visualization for select equities and digital currencies. This enhancement is currently accessible via iOS devices and web browsers.
The comprehensive market-data interface supports major cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and Dogecoin. Additionally, equity securities from companies like Tesla, Strategy, and Coinbase receive the same treatment.
This capability enables users to analyze price trends and community sentiment directly within X before choosing to engage with external trading services. The company hasn’t disclosed potential timelines for expanding brokerage integration beyond American borders.
The functionality carries particular significance for cryptocurrency markets, given X’s prominent role as a hub for crypto discourse. Commentary from influential traders, industry leaders, and public personalities frequently drives attention toward specific digital assets.
X Advances Its Financial Service Ambitions The Cashtag enhancement aligns with Elon Musk’s larger vision of transforming X beyond conventional social media boundaries. Financial data distribution, payment processing, and trading-adjacent services represent key focus areas as the platform diversifies its offerings.
For the present, X maintains a facilitation role rather than becoming a licensed brokerage. The platform supplies market intelligence, community discussion, and routing to trading services while partner institutions manage actual transactions.
Alongside financial features, the company continues advancing its technology portfolio. X recently unveiled Grok 4.7, positioning the model as an enhancement targeting programming and analytical tasks.
The trading integration remains exclusive to U.S. markets currently. X hasn’t announced specific plans for geographical expansion of this capability.
Bitcoin ETFs flirt with $1B as inflows hit 2026 highUS spot Bitcoin ETFs drew nearly $1 billion on Monday, their largest daily inflow since October 2025, as Bitcoin briefly climbed above $87,000.
US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) drew nearly $1 billion in net inflows on Monday, their biggest daily haul of 2026.
The funds recorded $998.9 million in daily net inflows, surpassing the previous 2026 high of $844 million on Jan. 14, according to SoSoValue data.
Monday’s total also marked the largest daily inflow since Oct. 6, 2025, when US spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted more than $1.2 billion. Despite the surge, US spot Bitcoin ETFs have posted about $464 million in net outflows so far in 2026.
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led Monday’s inflows with $381 million, followed by the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) at $289 million and Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) at around $239 million, according to data from Farside Investors.
Bitcoin traded at $85,430 at the time of publication, up 4.7% over 24 hours and 12.3% over the past month. It briefly rose above $87,200 on Monday, according to CoinGecko. CryptoQuant’s Julio Moreno said Monday that Bitcoin had moved above its 365-day moving average, which he described as the final signal needed to confirm a new bull market.
US spot Ether ETFs attracted around $270 million on Monday, their biggest daily inflow of 2026. US spot XRP ETFs recorded no net flows, leaving cumulative net inflows at about $1.71 billion.
This article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph's Editorial Policy and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice or recommendations. All investments and trades carry risk; readers are encouraged to conduct independent research.
Bitcoin ETFs flirt with $1B as inflows hit 2026 highUS spot Bitcoin ETFs drew nearly $1 billion on Monday, their largest daily inflow since October 2025, as Bitcoin briefly climbed above $87,000.
US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) drew nearly $1 billion in net inflows on Monday, their biggest daily haul of 2026.
The funds recorded $998.9 million in daily net inflows, surpassing the previous 2026 high of $844 million on Jan. 14, according to SoSoValue data.
Monday’s total also marked the largest daily inflow since Oct. 6, 2025, when US spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted more than $1.2 billion. Despite the surge, US spot Bitcoin ETFs have posted about $464 million in net outflows so far in 2026.
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led Monday’s inflows with $381 million, followed by the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) at $289 million and Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) at around $239 million, according to data from Farside Investors.
Bitcoin traded at $85,430 at the time of publication, up 4.7% over 24 hours and 12.3% over the past month. It briefly rose above $87,200 on Monday, according to CoinGecko. CryptoQuant’s Julio Moreno said Monday that Bitcoin had moved above its 365-day moving average, which he described as the final signal needed to confirm a new bull market.
US spot Ether ETFs attracted around $270 million on Monday, their biggest daily inflow of 2026. US spot XRP ETFs recorded no net flows, leaving cumulative net inflows at about $1.71 billion.
This article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph's Editorial Policy and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice or recommendations. All investments and trades carry risk; readers are encouraged to conduct independent research.
Binance to Delist Leveraged Trading Pairs Including NOM/USDC, SSV/USDC
According to an official announcement, Binance Leverage will delist the following leverage trading pairs at 14:00 (UTC+8) on September 25, 2026: Cross-margin leverage trading pairs: NOM/USDC, 1MBABYDOGE/USDC, SSV/USDC, BANANA/USDC, OPN/USDC, MANTA/USDC, STO/USDC; Isolated-margin leverage trading pairs: NOM/USDC, 1MBABYDOGE/USDC, OPN/USDC, MANTA/USDC, STO/USDC.
5 minutes ago
Crypto-related US stocks were broadly lower in pre-market trading, with CRCL down nearly 4%.
According to market data from BIT (bit.com), U.S. pre-market crypto-related stocks saw broad declines, with individual tickers posting the following drops: CRCL fell 3.93%, MSTR dropped 2.98%, HOOD declined 2.67%, BMNR fell 2.9%, BNC dropped 4.11%, and COIN declined 2.76%.
5 minutes ago
Muse craze goes viral, Mark Zuckerberg's net worth surges nearly 170 billion yuan in a single day.
Meta’s stock price surged nearly 12% on September 21 local time, pushing founder Mark Zuckerberg’s net worth to an estimated $253.6 billion (around 1.70 trillion yuan), marking a single-day gain of $250 billion (about 1.67458 trillion yuan). The rally was driven by Wells Fargo raising its price target for the stock, coupled with investor confidence in the growth prospects of Meta’s newly launched personal AI assistant Muse. On September 21 local time, Wells Fargo hiked the stock’s price target from $640 to $796, while maintaining an overweight rating, ahead of Meta Connect, the company’s conference scheduled for later this week. Muse’s usage statistics are considered a key metric to monitor. (Forbes)
5 minutes ago
A new address has hoarded 24.01 million ARB tokens, worth approximately $5.295 million.
On-chain analyst Ai Yi (@ai_9684xtpa) has detected that a new address accumulated 24.01 million ARB tokens four hours ago, valued at $5.295 million, at an average acquisition price of $0.2204.
5 minutes ago
Spot gold fell below the $4,300 level.
Per Bitget market data, spot gold has fallen below the $4,300 per ounce threshold, posting a 1.00% intraday decline. New York gold futures dropped more than 1.00% on the day, currently trading at $4,340.00 per ounce.
5 minutes ago
Binance is set to launch MOONSHOT (Moon Dark Side) USDT-margined Pre-IPO perpetual futures contract.
According to an official announcement, Binance Futures will launch the MOONSHOTUSDT U-based Pre-IPO perpetual contract at 16:30 on September 22, 2026 (GMT+8 time). The underlying asset is Beijing Moon of the Dark Technology Co., Ltd.
Whitehat operators have moved 52.37 BTC linked to the July Coldcard wallet exploit into an address associated with a recovery trust created to return rescued Bitcoin to verified owners.
Summary
Whitehat operators moved 52.37 BTC linked to Coldcard exploit wallets into a recovery trust address. The transfer represented 2.8% of tracked exploit funds, according to Galaxy Digital researcher Alex Thorn. Crypto Recovery Trust says verified owners can submit claims and provide evidence for returned assets. Coinkite says patched firmware fixes future seed generation but cannot repair already weakened wallet seeds. Current recommended Coldcard firmware is version 5.6.2 for Mk4/Mk5 and 1.5.2Q for Q devices respectively. Galaxy Digital Head of Research Alex Thorn said the Bitcoin came from the tracked Wave 2 cluster and footprints labeled AA, AU and AX, with the consolidation recorded in Bitcoin block 967,948. Thorn said the amount represented 2.8% of the exploit funds his team was tracking.
❄️COLDCARD WHITE HAT MOVES FUNDS TO TRUST 🏳️
52.37 BTC comprised of coins from Wave 2, Footprints AA, AU, AX consolidated into a fresh address with an OP_RETURN "claim:cryptorecoverytrust dot com" in block 967,948
these white hatted funds represent 2.8% of the coldcard exploit pic.twitter.com/c5eYeQMxHQ
— Alex Thorn (@intangiblecoins) September 21, 2026 The destination transaction carried an OP_RETURN message pointing to “claim:cryptorecoverytrust dot com,” according to Thorn. Galaxy Research separately identified activity in the same block involving 20 inputs and 480 outputs and published transaction ID 38b524ccb8ca260ec705ab980982144857c477658fa39591870ee8cb09bcea47.
Coldcard recovery moves rescued Bitcoin into a trust The transfer places part of the recovered Bitcoin under the Crypto Recovery Trust, a Wyoming statutory trust established to hold digital assets recovered from compromised wallets while ownership claims are checked.
Crypto Recovery Trust states that its role is to reunite recovered assets with their rightful owners through a formal claims process. Its website identifies the legal entity as the Recovered Digital Asset Statutory Trust of Wyoming and names Agentic Trace LLC as trustee.
The Digital Asset Recovery Trust, or DART, had already disclosed recovery work connected with the Coldcard incident before the latest consolidation. DART reported that it and independent whitehat researchers had secured just over 50 BTC from vulnerable addresses as of Aug. 17, moving the funds before malicious actors could reach them.
DART said recovered Bitcoin was placed in the trust instead of researcher-controlled wallets or operational accounts. Its process includes blockchain analysis, proof-of-ownership checks and sanctions screening before assets can be returned. Funds involving competing claims, sanctions restrictions or criminal proceedings may follow separate legal procedures.
The Sept. 21 movement provides a newer on-chain view of those recovery efforts. Thorn tied the 52.37 BTC specifically to previously identified exploit clusters, while describing them as whitehat-controlled funds. His 2.8% calculation refers to Galaxy’s tracked exploit total and should not be read as an official Coinkite loss figure.
Coldcard exploit began with a seed-generation flaw The Coldcard incident began July 30 after attackers exploited weakened Bitcoin wallet seeds created by affected firmware. Coinkite’s current incident record explains that a firmware integration defect caused the seed-generation path to resolve to MicroPython’s Yasmarang software pseudorandom generator instead of the intended hardware random number generator.
Attackers did not need to remotely control the hardware wallets. Coinkite says they regenerated vulnerable private keys offline after the reduced randomness made affected seed phrases easier to search. The company describes the incident as a firmware seed-generation failure, not a remote takeover of Coldcard devices.
Independent technical research has traced the weakness to firmware changes dating from 2021. One public investigation estimated that older Mk3 devices could produce roughly 40 bits of effective entropy under affected conditions, while Mk4, Mk5 and Q models retained approximately 72 bits instead of the intended security level.
Early losses were smaller than the totals later associated with multiple attack waves. As crypto.news previously reported, the Coldcard firmware build error and first-wave Bitcoin losses involved roughly 594 BTC taken from around 500 wallets within approximately 25 minutes.
Later tracking identified additional wallets and attack waves. A separate crypto.news investigation into the five-year Coldcard entropy flaw and four attack waves estimated 1,816 BTC had moved from more than 5,200 addresses as analysts expanded the identified scope.
Loss estimates therefore vary depending on which attack waves, clusters and recovery transactions are included. Coinkite’s current security status page does not publish a single definitive total for all stolen Bitcoin.
Coinkite says firmware updates cannot repair old seeds Coinkite released emergency fixes on July 31 for affected firmware lines. The company’s download archive shows Mk4/Mk5 version 5.6.0 and Q version 1.5.0Q as the first standard releases correcting future seed generation, while separate patches covered older Mk2/Mk3 devices and Edge firmware.
Security work continued after the initial patch. Current recommended standard releases are Mk4/Mk5 5.6.2 and Q 1.5.2Q, both issued Sept. 3. Edge users are directed to 6.6.1X for Mk4/Mk5 and 6.6.1QX for Q.
Coinkite stresses that installing fixed firmware does not change an existing seed. A wallet generated under vulnerable firmware can remain exposed even after the device receives the latest update because the weakness exists in the seed itself.
Users with affected seeds are instructed to generate a corrected replacement seed and migrate funds, unless they meet the company’s stated independent-dice exception. Coinkite says at least 50 fair, independent and privately recorded six-sided dice rolls added under the relevant workflow provide at least 128 bits of additional entropy, though users uncertain about the conditions are told to migrate.
Victims can submit ownership claims to the recovery trust The recovery process now centers on verifying who controlled addresses from which whitehats swept Bitcoin. Crypto Recovery Trust lets claimants search for recovery information, track a submitted claim and provide additional supporting evidence through its website.
DART says the trust was structured to segregate recovered Bitcoin from researcher and operating funds while ownership is established. Attorneys from Steptoe’s national security practice advise the trustee, according to DART’s disclosure, because some returned assets may require sanctions, law-enforcement or competing-ownership reviews.
The whitehat researchers involved in DART’s earlier recovery work did not request a bounty, according to the organization. DART said other vulnerable assets and possible recovery leads remained under review after its August tally, leaving open the possibility that further Coldcard-linked funds could enter the claims process.
For wallets that still rely on seeds created under affected Coldcard firmware, Coinkite’s current instructions remain unchanged: install and verify a fixed firmware release, create a new seed under the corrected process, and move funds away from the vulnerable seed.
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Bitcoin spot ETFs traded in the US saw a net inflow of $999 million on September 21. According to SoSoValue data, this marked the third consecutive day of net inflows into Bitcoin ETFs.
BlackRock’s IBIT fund saw the highest daily net inflow. IBIT received $381 million, bringing its total net inflow since its inception to $64.506 billion. Second place went to ARKB, issued by Ark Invest and 21Shares. ARKB experienced a net inflow of $289 million in a single day, raising its cumulative net inflow to $1.370 billion.
According to the data, the total net asset value of Bitcoin spot ETFs was recorded at $110.135 billion. The ratio of total ETF assets to Bitcoin’s total market capitalization is 6.3%, while the total net inflow since the products’ inception has reached $56.160 billion.
Ethereum spot ETFs also saw strong capital movement. On September 21, a total net inflow of $270 million was recorded into Ethereum spot ETFs.
BlackRock’s ETHA fund saw the highest daily inflow among Ethereum ETFs. ETHA experienced a net inflow of $110 million, bringing its historical total net inflow to $13.067 billion. Fidelity’s FETH fund came in second with a net inflow of $72.958 million, bringing its total net inflow to $2.320 billion.
Ethereum spot ETFs recorded a total net asset value of $17.817 billion, representing 5.24% of the total market capitalization, and a cumulative net inflow of $13.520 billion.
*This is not investment advice.
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Leading cryptocurrencies jumped to multi-month highs on Monday amid rampant optimism and growing “fear of missing out.”
Crypto Market EruptsBitcoin stormed past $87,000 for the first time since January, while trading volume jumped nearly 150% over the last 24 hours.
Ethereum also rallied to a nearly 10-month high of $2,800, while XRP and Dogecoin recorded sharp upticks.
Cryptocurrency-related stocks advanced, with Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR) and Bitmine Immersion Technologies Inc. (NYSE:BMNR) closing up 9.47% and 8.70%, respectively.
Over $1 billion was liquidated from the cryptocurrency market in the last 24 hours, with $840 million in bearish short bets wiped out, according to Coinglass data.
Bitcoin’s open interest soared 8.44% over the last 24 hours. A jump in open interest alongside a jump in price typically indicates strong bullish momentum and fresh money entering the market.
"Extreme Greed" sentiment swept the market, according to the Crypto Fear & Greed Index.
Top Gainers (24 Hours)
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization spiked to $2.91 trillion, representing a 4.28% increase over the last 24 hours.
Read Next
Stocks Rally, Nasdaq Closes at RecordThe stock market kicked off the new trading week strongly. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 366.19 points, or 0.71%, to settle at 52,048.83. The S&P 500 rose 1.49% to end at 7,764.70, while the tech-focused Nasdaq Composite surged 2.26% to close at a record high of 27,122.09.
Iran relayed conditions to the U.S. for re-engaging in negotiations aimed at ending the war. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump told Fox News he would "probably" be open to meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the United Nations General Assembly this week
End of Bear Market?Michaël van de Poppe, a widely followed cryptocurrency analyst and trader, stated that Bitcoin’s surge won’t stop anytime soon, targeting $90,000-$91,000 next, with potential extension to $98,000-$100,000.
“I don’t think I’d be betting against this trend,” Van De Poppe added. “The bear market is over.”
At the same time, Bitcoin’s bullish commentary surged to its highest level since 2024, according to on-chain analytics firm Santiment.
“Crypto often punishes crowded expectations,” Santiment warned. “Extreme fear can appear near exhaustion lows, while synchronized ‘higher from here’ confidence can develop near local tops.”
A rapid round of forced buying triggered by short squeeze activity has pushed more than $1 billion in total crypto liquidations, leaving Bitcoin flat and Dogecoin as the day’s top performer among major tokens. Data from CoinGlass indicated that short sellers accounted for $844 million of total liquidations in the past 24 hours, with 135,000 traders closed out as bearish bets failed to materialize.
Short sellers face heavy lossesShort positions, which generate profits when asset prices decline, saw steep losses as bullish momentum drove prices higher. When cryptocurrency prices rise sharply, exchanges automatically liquidate short positions that can no longer meet collateral requirements, resulting in additional market buying pressure. This self-reinforcing cycle often amplifies price swings within a short period.
Bitcoin alone accounted for $608 million of liquidations, and the largest single event involved a $21 million Bitcoin position on Hyperliquid. Ether saw $181 million in positions closed. As the wave of forced buying subsided, new upward momentum now depends on organic demand rather than liquidation of short positions.
AssetLiquidation AmountBitcoin (BTC)$608 millionEther (ETH)$181 millionTotal short positions$844 millionAnalysts noted that with short-driven buying largely exhausted, any further gains in Bitcoin and major altcoins will require sustained investor interest.
Dogecoin and other major tokens surgeDogecoin experienced the strongest rally among leading cryptocurrencies, jumping more than 15% to trade just above $0.10 during Asian morning hours. CoinDesk data showed Dogecoin outpacing all other large tokens within the same time frame.
Bitcoin remained above $85,600 after rising approximately 5% in the previous 24 hours, although it showed little change in the last hour as the impact of liquidations waned.
XRP climbed 7% to approach $1.52, while Solana gained 5% to reach just below $117. Ether saw a modest increase of 3%, trading close to $2,740. Both BNB and TRX posted 1-2% gains. In contrast, Zcash (ZEC) lost 4% to fall slightly above $1,450, making it the only major token in decline.
The reduced pace of liquidations, now below $11 million per hour compared to over $300 million hourly at the peak, signals that upward price movement will rely more heavily on proactive buyers entering the market.
A short squeeze occurs when a rapid price increase forces traders who had bet against an asset to close their positions, often triggering a series of automatic purchases that further propel prices.
Mini dictionary: CoinGlass, a cryptocurrency data and analytics platform, is widely used for tracking liquidation volumes, open interest, and trading activity across major digital asset exchanges.
AI stocks boost Asian equity marketsAsian equities advanced, buoyed by investor optimism around artificial intelligence. Chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix led the gains, tracking a rally in US semiconductor shares. South Korea’s Kospi was up 2%, and Taiwan’s benchmark stock index reached an intraday record.
Meta Platforms, a global social media conglomerate that owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, saw strong early adoption of its AI agent Muse, which recently overtook ChatGPT as the most downloaded free app on Apple’s US App Store. According to data from Apptopia, Muse registered almost 3 million installs globally, with 40% more iOS downloads in the US and Canada during its first 12 days compared to ChatGPT’s initial launch period.
AMD, a leading semiconductor company, rose up to 10% and briefly topped $1 trillion in market capitalization for the first time. Intel and Arm also saw double-digit gains, contributing to a more than 4% rise in the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index. Chipmakers benefited from expectations that growing AI adoption would drive additional demand for advanced hardware.
Elsewhere, Alibaba announced the launch of what it described as China’s most powerful AI chip, boosting its Hong Kong-listed shares. Tencent, another major Chinese technology firm, gained after unveiling a new AI image-generation model.
The combination of AI developments and volatile cryptocurrency markets suggests a dynamic investment environment characterized by rapid cross-market movements.
Circle has launched Digital Asset-Backed Borrowing for eligible Circle Mint institutions, allowing customers to deposit Bitcoin, mint cirBTC and borrow USDC through third-party lending markets on Arc or Ethereum.
Summary
Circle has launched Bitcoin-backed USDC borrowing for eligible institutional Circle Mint customers on two networks. Morpho is the first supported lending protocol, with Aave expected to join Circle’s service later. cirBTC reserves currently exceed token supply, with Circle publishing backing data directly for public verification. New York customers remain excluded, while borrowing terms and liquidations depend on third-party markets entirely. Arc’s cirBTC Morpho market shows $18.86 million borrowed with an 86% liquidation loan-to-value threshold. Circle said on Sept. 21 that the service combines the steps needed to turn native BTC into onchain collateral and return borrowed USDC to a customer’s Circle Mint balance. Morpho is the first supported lending protocol, while Circle says Aave and other platforms are expected to follow.
Digital Asset-Backed Borrowing is now available in Circle Mint for eligible Circle Mint LLC customers.
Deposit BTC. Mint cirBTC. Borrow USDC.
Through one coordinated workflow, customers can use BTC-backed cirBTC as collateral through supported third-party lending markets on Arc…
— Circle (@circle) September 21, 2026 Customers retain exposure to the BTC supporting their cirBTC position instead of selling the asset to obtain dollar liquidity. The borrowing position remains overcollateralized, with interest rates, collateral limits, liquidation thresholds and available liquidity set by the selected lending market instead of Circle.
Circle Mint routes BTC through third-party lending markets Using the new workflow, an eligible institution deposits BTC and mints Circle Wrapped Bitcoin, or cirBTC. The customer then transfers cirBTC into a user-controlled Smart Wallet, posts the token as collateral with a supported protocol and borrows USDC. Borrowed funds move from the Smart Wallet into the customer’s Circle Mint balance automatically.
Repayment works through the same interface. A customer can send USDC from Circle Mint into the Smart Wallet and repay part or all of the outstanding debt. Collateral becomes available as debt is repaid, subject to the rules of the lending protocol controlling the position.
Circle does not provide the underlying credit. Its legal terms state that Circle Technology Services supplies the interface and Smart Wallet technology, while lending, collateral management and liquidations occur through third-party DeFi protocols and their smart contracts. Assets moved into the Smart Wallet are no longer held within the regulated Circle Mint environment.
Circle Mint remains an institutional service. Individual retail users cannot open standard Mint accounts, while Digital Asset-Backed Borrowing carries further jurisdiction and eligibility requirements. Circle says New York customers are excluded from the borrowing product.
Morpho starts with live cirBTC-USDC markets on Arc Morpho provides the first lending infrastructure supported by the Circle Mint borrowing workflow. On Arc, the protocol currently operates a USDC market using cirBTC as collateral with an 86% liquidation loan-to-value threshold.
Live Morpho data viewed Sept. 22 showed $18.86 million in outstanding borrowing against $157.85 million of available liquidity. The market held $176.71 million in total size with utilization at 10.67%. No realized or unrealized bad debt was displayed at the time of verification.
Those figures can change as users supply liquidity, borrow, repay or withdraw funds. Circle’s terms make clear that displayed rates and protocol parameters come from third parties and can move without Circle controlling them. Automatic liquidation can occur if collateral values, oracle readings, interest charges or protocol settings push a position beyond the applicable limit.
Morpho had moved onto Arc when Circle’s Layer 1 went public on Sept. 16. As previously reported, the Arc mainnet launched with USDC as its native gas asset, while Morpho and Aave supplied lending infrastructure alongside applications for trading and tokenized assets.
Morpho said before the DABB release that institutional Circle Mint customers would gain access to its Arc credit markets directly through Circle’s interface. The protocol has separately proposed a $50,000 monthly incentive budget for Arc borrowing activity under its governance process.
cirBTC reserves remain above outstanding token supply cirBTC provides the collateral connecting native Bitcoin with the Ethereum and Arc smart-contract environments. Circle first introduced the asset on Ethereum in June before bringing it to Arc on Sept. 21.
As previously reported, Circle’s cirBTC launch on Ethereum introduced 1:1 Bitcoin backing alongside Chainlink Proof of Reserve. The structure lets market participants inspect reserve information while native Bitcoin remains held separately from the circulating wrapped tokens.
Current Circle data showed 948.7508 cirBTC outstanding against 951.2586 BTC in reserves at the time of verification. Arc accounted for 396.9919 cirBTC, while Ethereum carried 551.7590 cirBTC. The displayed reserve value stood at roughly $77.19 million.
Circle says the underlying Bitcoin is held through its Bermuda affiliate and safeguarded by Circle National Trust in segregated accounts for cirBTC holders. Circle National Trust received final approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in July to operate as a federally chartered national trust bank.
The OCC charter permits the trust bank to provide regulated digital asset custody services. Circle National Trust does not accept deposits or make loans, and digital assets held there are not FDIC insured.
Circle states that cirBTC reserves are not lent, pledged or rehypothecated. Chainlink Proof of Reserve publishes reserve information onchain, while Circle lists Bitcoin reserve addresses so counterparties can compare native BTC holdings with circulating cirBTC supply.
Circle keeps DeFi credit outside regulated Mint custody Circle’s legal documentation draws a line between the Circle Mint account and the DeFi borrowing position. Once collateral leaves Circle Mint for the Smart Wallet, Circle Internet Financial no longer holds those assets under the controls applying to balances kept inside Mint.
Customers control the Smart Wallet through a two-of-two multiparty computation key-management system. Circle says it cannot independently initiate, reverse or cancel blockchain transactions from the wallet. Borrowers remain responsible for monitoring their positions, maintaining collateral and reviewing protocol risks.
Liquidations are controlled by the selected lending protocol. Circle warns that falling collateral values, changing rates, oracle movements or revised market parameters can trigger an automatic liquidation without prior notice, potentially resulting in penalties or collateral losses.
Circle’s institutional USDC network has been expanding through other regulated financial channels. In related coverage, BNY began providing USDC minting, redemption, custody and transfers for institutional clients in June, while Standard Chartered introduced bank-led access to USDC minting and redemption in July.
Circle says Morpho is the first supported protocol for Digital Asset-Backed Borrowing and “support for additional protocols, including Aave, will follow as the product develops.” No timetable has been announced for Aave integration or additional blockchain deployments.
Arc support arrived five days after the network’s Sept. 16 public mainnet launch. The Arc release says cirBTC can now be used within credit, trading, lending, settlement and treasury applications built on the network, with native BTC remaining in custody while cirBTC circulates through smart contracts.
Balancer plans to "relaunch" via a new protocol fork, betting on on-chain trading of tokenized stocks.
The Balancer community has proposed a "Fork and Reincarnate" plan, designed to continue Balancer’s technology and ecosystem via an official fork in the event the original protocol faces potential shutdown, with the new protocol positioned as a tokenized stock trading platform. The proposal suggests MAXYZ lead the establishment of a new official fork entity, migrating part of Balancer’s liquidity, team members, partners, users, and intellectual property to the new protocol, while extending the suspension deadline for existing pools and the Balancer Vault to Q2 2027. For funding, the plan allocates Balancer’s remaining ~6 million uncirculated BAL tokens as seed capital for the new project, valued at roughly $690,000 at current prices. In exchange, if the new protocol conducts a future token issuance or other liquidity exit events, the Balancer Treasury will receive 10% of the new protocol’s token’s fully diluted valuation (FDV) upfront. The new protocol will leverage Balancer’s core technologies—including multi-asset pools, dynamic weights, dynamic fees, LVR capture, and permissioned pools—focusing on tokenized stocks and other traditional financial assets on-chain. Using the U.S. stock market’s average daily trading volume of $750 billion as a benchmark, the proposal estimates that if 10% of that volume moves on-chain, with a 1 basis point fee and 1% market share, theoretical annual revenue would reach approximately $27.4 million. Additionally, the proposal intends to grant the new fork a permanent, irrevocable, non-exclusive license for Balancer-related intellectual property; if the original Balancer entity is dissolved, this license will be upgraded to an exclusive assignment of the held intellectual property.
10 minutes ago
OpenAI has produced so many mathematical research findings that it cannot publish them all in a timely manner, and has enlisted three Fields Medalists to vet the work.
Exclusive: Beating AI News Flash OpenAI has established a "Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence Advisory Group" hosted by Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study (IAS). The company stated that an internal research model has solved over 100 long-standing open problems spanning multiple mathematical fields, including the previously announced research on the Navier-Stokes Millennium Prize Problem. Most of these findings remain unpublished. The advisory group will assess the significance of these results, their publication approach, and compliance with academic standards. Its first nine members include three Fields Medal winners: Timothy Gowers, Martin Hairer, and Edward Witten. Members will not receive compensation from OpenAI, may publicly criticize the company, and can independently release recommendations. However, the group holds no decision-making power and will not determine the pace of OpenAI’s internal mathematical research. This move is OpenAI’s direct response to recent dissatisfaction from the mathematics community. Earlier, 25 Fields Medal winners including Terence Tao, Yufei Zhao, and Peter Scholze released a joint statement accusing AI companies of framing the solving of major math problems as a benchmark, which has begun to harm mathematical research. The statement acknowledged that large models have advanced rapidly in recent months and can solve several important open problems across fields, but emphasized that mathematics prioritizes the new concepts, methods, and understanding generated from such solutions.
10 minutes ago
A crypto whale liquidated their entire CRV position after holding it for 3 years, incurring a loss of $4.1 million.
According to EmberCN’s monitoring, a crypto whale or institutional entity has recently liquidated its holdings of 31.4 million CRV tokens held for roughly three years, incurring a total loss of around $4.1 million, equivalent to a 27% loss rate. The address in question withdrew and accumulated the 31.4 million CRV from Binance between 2023 and 2024, with a total investment of approximately $15.13 million, translating to an average cost of $0.48 per token. Over the past two weeks, the address has transferred these CRV to OKX for sale, fetching an average selling price of roughly $0.35 per token.
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Tom Lee's Bitmine Withdraws 12,500 ETH ($34.55M) From Kraken
Tom Lee (@fundstrat)'s #Bitmine keeps buying $ETH, withdrawing another 12,500 $ETH($34.55M) from #Kraken today.
Beating AI News Insight: Alibaba CEO Wu Yongming unveiled the company’s next-phase AI roadmap at the Yunqi Conference. The Qwen team plans to train a new model with 5 trillion to 10 trillion parameters; Pingtouge released the Zhenwu V900; and Alibaba Cloud aims to expand its global data center capacity to over 20GW by 2032. Qwen is exploring Recursive Self-Improvement (RSI), which enables the model to identify its own shortcomings based on real task feedback, design experiments, construct data, and continue training. The new generation of models will focus on enhancing capabilities for complex long-horizon tasks, while advancing multimodal models that integrate understanding and generation. Wu Yongming estimates that the total thinking capacity generated by machines today is less than 3% of humans, and could exceed human levels by 1,000 times in the future. He noted that current AI coding is still similar to the "electric light in 1882"—it mainly replaces existing work, while new products truly belonging to the machine intelligence era have not yet emerged. In the future, complex tasks may be split into tens of millions of subtasks, assigned to millions of Agents for continuous execution. To support this scale of computing demand, Alibaba is also strengthening its chip and cloud infrastructure. The Zhenwu V900 delivers 3 times the performance of the M890, with a single cluster scalable to up to 500,000 cards. Wu Yongming stated that medium- and long-term demand for AI currently exceeds supply, and Alibaba Cloud plans to operate over 20GW of global data centers by 2032.
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AMD's market capitalization surpasses $1 trillion, as AI agents reignite market attention on demand for CPU computing power.
Beating AI Express (from Dongcha) – AMD’s stock closed up nearly 10% on September 21 to $615.52, hitting an all-time high. The chipmaker’s market capitalization crossed $1 trillion for the first time, making it the fourth U.S. semiconductor firm to reach this valuation, following NVIDIA, Broadcom, and Micron. AMD has rallied roughly 24% over the past five trading days, with its year-to-date gain exceeding 180%. One direct catalyst for the recent surge is the market’s re-evaluation of AI agents’ demand for CPU computing power. Meta’s newly launched personal AI agent Muse quickly gained traction: it amassed 730,000 downloads in just five days and topped the U.S. Apple App Store’s free app chart on September 18. Market participants note that as AI agents become more widespread, server CPUs will see increased workloads in inference, task orchestration, and infrastructure operations. AMD’s second-quarter revenue rose 50% year-over-year to $11.54 billion, with its data center business generating $6.7 billion in revenue, up 107% YoY. Meta currently accounts for around 5.5% of AMD’s total revenue, ranking as the chipmaker’s second-largest customer. As AI applications expand beyond model training to agent deployment, market focus on AI infrastructure is shifting from GPUs to CPUs and other general computing resources.
Financial markets launched the week with strong bullish momentum on Monday, as Bitcoin climbed past the $85,000 threshold, artificial intelligence equities rallied significantly, and declining energy costs provided additional support to investor confidence throughout major exchanges. The trading session featured AMD’s entrance into the exclusive trillion-dollar valuation club and Strategy’s renewed Bitcoin acquisition activity, marking some of the most significant developments across cryptocurrency and stock markets.
Bitcoin Climbs Beyond $85,000 Milestone Table of Contents
The leading cryptocurrency pushed above $85,000 for the first occasion since late January, continuing its impressive recovery from previous week’s lower levels and momentarily approaching $86,000. The digital asset registered gains exceeding 5% across a 24-hour period as enhanced risk appetite combined with substantial short position liquidations fueled the upward movement.
Data from CoinGlass referenced by The Block indicates that leveraged cryptocurrency positions totaling over $750 million were liquidated during this 24-hour window, with approximately $648 million attributed to short sellers wagering on price declines. The price surge additionally propelled Bitcoin above the average acquisition cost of U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF participants for the first instance since January.
AMD Achieves Trillion-Dollar Market Capitalization The semiconductor manufacturer joined the elite group of companies with $1 trillion market valuations, experiencing a roughly 10% share price increase to establish a new all-time high on Monday. This achievement arrives as investor enthusiasm surrounding artificial intelligence companies has rebounded forcefully after recent market turbulence.
AMD equity has surged approximately 185% throughout 2026, dramatically outpacing the wider Nasdaq index performance. Market participants have progressively concentrated on AMD’s strategic evolution from standalone processor manufacturing toward comprehensive AI computing platforms as the company pursues greater market penetration within the explosively expanding AI infrastructure sector.
Energy Price Decline Provides Market Support A substantial drop in oil prices contributed another positive factor for equity markets. Domestic crude declined approximately 4.8%, while Brent crude experienced a roughly 3.6% decrease, reflecting indications of expanding Gulf region exports and anticipation that certain interrupted Saudi production capacity might resume operations.
Reduced energy costs additionally alleviated strain on fixed-income markets, enabling Treasury yields to decline. The convergence of decreasing oil prices, reduced yields, and revitalized artificial intelligence sector enthusiasm propelled the Nasdaq significantly higher throughout Monday’s trading period.
Meta Platforms Climbs on Renewed AI Enthusiasm Meta Platforms emerged as another notable performer, with shares advancing approximately 6.7% as capital flowed back into prominent AI-associated companies. The stock received additional support from optimistic analyst commentary preceding Meta’s forthcoming product reveals.
This upward movement helped communication-services sector stocks lead broader market performance and illustrated how rapidly investor demand for large-cap technology companies has rebounded following the recent market correction.
Accenture Expands AI Safety Collaboration with Anthropic Accenture shares also advanced following the consulting corporation’s announcement of an extensive partnership with Anthropic centered on assessing the security and dependability of sophisticated AI models.
The organizations intend to allocate approximately $2 billion through this initiative as corporations and regulatory authorities increasingly prioritize ensuring that progressively capable AI systems can be implemented securely and reliably.
Strategy Resumes Bitcoin Accumulation Strategy Michael Saylor’s Strategy has reactivated its Bitcoin acquisition program following an approximately three-week hiatus, purchasing an additional 950 BTC valued at $75.7 million.
The Bitcoin was obtained at an average cost of roughly $79,670 per unit, elevating Strategy’s aggregate holdings to approximately 846,000 BTC. Strategy shares climbed alongside Bitcoin on Monday as cryptocurrency-related equities benefited from the broader market advance.
Circle Introduces Bitcoin-Collateralized USDC Lending Circle has unveiled a new platform enabling qualified institutional clients to obtain USDC loans against their Bitcoin holdings without liquidating their BTC positions.
Via Circle Mint, institutions can deposit Bitcoin, create Circle’s wrapped Bitcoin token cirBTC, provide it as collateral, and borrow USDC through compatible onchain lending platforms. Morpho represents the initial supported lending protocol, with Circle indicating that additional platforms including Aave are anticipated to integrate subsequently.
This launch represents another advancement in incorporating Bitcoin into institutional lending and treasury management operations, enabling long-term holders to obtain dollar-denominated liquidity while preserving their underlying BTC holdings.
With Bitcoin trading above $85,000, AI stocks experiencing robust gains, and oil prices declining, Monday delivered one of the most powerful broad-based risk-on trading sessions witnessed in recent weeks. The critical question now centers on whether this momentum can sustain itself throughout the remainder of the week.
Bitcoin retreated from an eight-month high Tuesday in Asia after a dizzying rally that saw it surge more than 13% in four days.
The original cryptocurrency eased to around $85,500 in early Singapore trading from as high as $87,381 in the US session, still up around $10,000 from last week’s lows after crypto joined a broad rebound in risk assets including stocks. Bitcoin is back at late-January levels but remains well below its record of $126,000 set in October.
“The rapid move back through $80,000 has traders believing the bear phase is over; momentum is bringing sidelined capital back in, so the path of least resistance is higher,” said Rich Rosenblum, co-founder of crypto market maker GSR. “The risk is that this is a macro liquidity trade wearing a crypto costume. If so, a risk-assets wobble** **would put Bitcoin under significant pressure.”
Digital assets have brushed off last week’s failure of landmark US legislation that would have established clearer industry regulation and the Federal Reserve’s first interest-rate increase in more than three years. A green light on Thursday from the Securities and Exchange Commission for blockchain-based versions of securities to start trading in the US brightened the mood, sending related tokens soaring.
Falling oil prices and optimism ahead of a summit between US President Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping have buoyed markets more broadly.
Liquidations of long and short positions across digital assets have climbed to more than $1 billion over the last 24 hours, with short bets accounting for about $840 million of that, according to data compiled by Coinglass.
“It looks like mechanics before conviction. Bitcoin cleared the top of its September range into a dense band of short liquidation levels, and forced buying did the rest,” said Rachael Lucas, an analyst at BTC Markets. “$84,000 is the level that matters. It was the breakout, and it should now hold as the floor if this is a regime change rather than a short squeeze.”
Read more: Crypto Tokens Jump Up to 50% in a Post-Clarity Regulatory Bet
Bitcoin open interest on the options trading platform Deribit was heavily dominated by calls, signaling bullish sentiment. The platform showed nearly 320,000 contracts for the right to buy the token compared with over 169,000 for puts, or the right to sell.
Other positives lifting sentiment around Bitcoin are big inflows into spot US exchange-traded funds at the end of last week and Michael Saylor’s Strategy Inc. — the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin — purchasing the token for the first time in three weeks.
Still, headwinds remain, with crude oil at around $100 a barrel and US Treasury yields elevated, though falling.
Bitcoin is still off its 2026 high of over $97,000 in mid-January, and retail enthusiasm has proven hard to rekindle as artificial intelligence stocks and other AI-linked trades compete for the same pool of speculative capital.
“For most of this year crypto was the forgotten macro trade, it lagged equities and gold while capital and attention moved to AI,” said Rosenblum. “What’s changed is positioning, not fundamentals: Bitcoin was under-owned and leaning short.”
Bitcoin (BTC) surged 6.42% in the day and 10.42% in the last month to exchange hands at $86,447. Short liquidations have mounted to $556 million in the day as the asset maintained positive momentum above the influential $80,000 mark.
Bitcoin FOMO attains two-year highCrypto analytics platform Santiment now points out that Bitcoin’s FOMO (fear of missing out) has hit levels last seen in December 2024. That month saw a BTC high of $108,000, with subsequent months leading to the October 2025 historic peak of $126,000.
Source: Santiment
Even more, Bitcoin’s combined trading volume recently spiked by 39%. And despite the massive shorts experienced, open interest still rose 9.38% in the past 24 hours to reach $61.33 billion.
Other than FOMO, corporations also stepped in on Bitcoin buys, with Strategy recently acquiring 950 BTC. ETF net flows also turned positive, reading $317.10 million as of September 21.
Also cushioning the rally were the falling bond yields and cooking oil prices as market sentiment shifted to cautious optimism.
Analyst and community reactionWith the rise, seasoned analyst Ben Cowen took to X to overturn his bearish sentiment. Strategy Executive Chairman Saylor and analyst Michale van de Poppe welcomed him to the other side, reminding him that analyses are occasionally fallible and require regular review.
I was wrong
Not going to make excuses
I deserve to be dunked on
— Benjamin Cowen (@benjamincowen) September 21, 2026 Meanwhile, the community took a jab at TV personality Jim Cramer, who said he sold all his Bitcoin almost two months ago, fearing quantum security vulnerabilities. “Inverse Cramer strikes again” now trends as the asset rises above his sell point.
And while most sentiment is bullish, investor Garret Jin has flipped to a bearish stance. After closing a $8.38 million profit on a Bitcoin long position yesterday, he is now shorting 500BTC on a 3x leverage worth $43.23 million.
Parting shotSantiment concludes by reminding the crypto community that as risk lowers, so do the rewards. The theory, it says, does not guarantee a reversal, and it is only meant to stress vigilance.
“One-sided optimism is where caution becomes useful.”
Near-term outlook If Bitcoin holds above $86,000, it could reclaim the $90,000 Fibonacci extension. A break below this level, however, could risk a pullback to $82,000-$84,000.
Story Ends Here
Trust with CoinPedia:CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.
Investment Disclaimer:All opinions and insights shared represent the author's own views on current market conditions. Please do your own research before making investment decisions. Neither the writer nor the publication assumes responsibility for your financial choices.
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Polymarket’s Balance of Power 2026 Midterms contract showed a reported record 60% market-implied probability of a Democratic sweep of Congress, according to The Kobeissi Letter. A separate Polymarket contract tracking Senate control specifically put Democratic odds at 62% versus 31% for Republicans as of the Afternoon of September 21 – a related but distinct question from a full sweep of both chambers.
The timing matters. Election Day is November 3, 2026, and the S&P 500 has historically posted its most volatile stretches in the third and fourth quarters of midterm years. There is no verified Bitcoin price move tied to this repricing, and none should be assumed. The central tension here is conditional, not confirmed: a historically shaky equity window is colliding with a fast-moving political market, and either dynamic – or neither – could eventually pressure Bitcoin as a high-beta risk asset.
(Source – Polymarkets, Balance of Power 2026)
Make Your Midterms Prediction With $25 Free on Kalshi
Two Different Bets, One Fast-Moving Market: What’s the Strongest Prediction? It’s worth separating what these contracts actually ask. A Democratic sweep means winning the House, Senate, and effectively unified control; a Senate win alone is a narrower outcome that could still leave Washington divided. Conflating the two overstates the certainty of either.
Prediction-market prices also change continuously, and each figure carries a timestamp. The Kobeissi Letter noted that roughly 20 percentage points of the sweep-odds increase arrived since the Iran war began, underscoring how sensitive these contracts are to macro shocks. Readers tracking this space in real time can follow the shifting Polymarket odds on the 2026 midterms as the numbers evolve week to week.
DISCOVER: Top 20 Crypto to Buy in 2026
The Verdict: Two Separate Risks, Not One Confirmed Shock What’s verified: political-market odds have repriced sharply toward a Democratic sweep, and the calendar has entered the historically choppiest window of the midterm-year cycle. What’s not verified: any current Bitcoin sell-off, any confirmed link between the two, or any specific future crypto policy outcome.
Bitcoin’s exposure here is real but conditional – it functions as a high-beta proxy on broader risk sentiment, and a spike in realized volatility after unusually calm trading is a pattern worth watching, as detailed in prior coverage of Bitcoin’s low-volatility setup.
The variables to watch are straightforward: whether equity softness deepens into an actual correction, whether the sweep odds keep climbing or fade before November 3, and whether Washington produces any clearer crypto framework in the meantime. Until those resolve, this is a story about converging risks, not a confirmed double shock.
DISCOVER: 9+ Best High-Risk, High-Reward Crypto to Buy in 2026
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Bitcoin blew past $87,000, reaching its highest price point since late January and catching an entire class of short sellers off guard in the process.
The move represented a roughly 5-6% jump from a prior close around $81,000-$81,200, fueled by a cascade of forced liquidations that turned a modest rally into something significantly more violent.
The short squeeze heard around the market More than $300 million in short positions were liquidated in a single hour during the surge. Over the full 24-hour window, total liquidations across the crypto market stretched somewhere between $576 million and $800 million.
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Bitcoin reached intraday highs near $86,300-$86,344 before continuing to climb through the $87,000 level. The move also pushed BTC back above the average cost basis for US spot Bitcoin ETF holders, previously sitting around $82,225. That’s a meaningful psychological threshold: it means the average ETF buyer is back in profit for the first time since January.
ETF inflows add fuel The rally didn’t happen in a vacuum. US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $435 million in net inflows on the Friday before the surge, signaling that institutional appetite was already building before prices spiked.
The timing also coincided with a friendlier macro backdrop. WTI crude oil prices dipped to around $91-$92 per barrel, driven by improving US-Iran diplomatic developments. Equities caught the same tailwind, with the Nasdaq rising approximately 1-2% during the same period.
The $90,000 question Several market participants have flagged $90,000 as the next major target, a level that would represent another 3-4% climb from current prices. Bitcoin is still well below its January 2026 peak above $97,000, and even further from its all-time high exceeding $126,000, set back in October 2025.
Not everyone is convinced this rally has legs. Some analysts have characterized the move as a classic short squeeze: dramatic, fast, and potentially temporary. Treasury yields have been climbing, and a recent Federal Reserve interest rate hike added another complication, raising the cost of leverage across financial markets.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Bitcoin bears had a very bad day. Over a 24-hour stretch, approximately $918.9 million in short positions were forcibly closed across crypto derivatives markets, as Bitcoin ripped past $85,000 and left anyone betting against it scrambling for the exits.
The price surge, which saw Bitcoin climb roughly 5.7% in a single day to intraday highs near $85,300, was driven by a textbook short squeeze.
The liquidation cascade Short sellers borrow an asset and sell it, hoping to buy it back cheaper later. When the price moves against them, exchanges automatically close their positions to prevent further losses. That forced buying creates more upward pressure, which triggers more liquidations, which creates more buying.
Short positions accounted for somewhere between 86% and 95% of all liquidations during the event. The carnage was concentrated in BTC and ETH positions, with the single largest individual liquidation clocking in at roughly $11.29 million on a BTC-USDT position on Binance.
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Total liquidations across both longs and shorts reached approximately $746 million to $790 million when looking at the core data, with the broader $918.9 million figure incorporating a wider set of altcoin positions.
Analysts had flagged notable clusters of short interest sitting in the $83,000 to $86,000 range before the breakout occurred. Data from Glassnode highlighted these concentrations. Once the price cleared the $82,000 resistance level, then $84,000, those shorts became fuel for the fire.
Macro tailwinds met technical triggers The rally didn’t happen in a vacuum. Declining oil prices and falling Treasury yields created a favorable macroeconomic backdrop. Lower yields reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like Bitcoin, while cheaper energy inputs generally ease inflationary pressure.
Despite nearly a billion dollars in positions getting wiped out, open interest actually grew by approximately 7.6% to 8%, reaching an estimated $156 billion. The fact that open interest increased suggests traders were actively replacing liquidated positions with new ones. Trading volume surged by an estimated 39% to 58%, confirming that market participation was intensifying rather than retreating.
Analysts attributed the sustained momentum not just to the mechanical short-covering but also to genuine spot demand. Real buyers were stepping in alongside the forced liquidation buying, which helped Bitcoin clear resistance bands rather than simply bouncing off them.
What the squeeze signals for traders Short squeezes of this magnitude serve as a stress test for market positioning. The concentration of shorts in the $83,000 to $86,000 band meant that a relatively modest initial move could, and did, cascade into something much larger.
The growing open interest alongside the squeeze creates an interesting tension. More leveraged positions means more potential energy stored in the market, energy that can release in either direction.
Bitcoin reaching its highest level since January also resets the psychological framework for traders. Price levels that seemed ambitious a week ago now look like support zones.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Bitcoin surged nearly 6% on Monday, briefly crossing the $86,000 mark for the first time since late January. The sharp move corresponded with crypto short liquidations totaling almost $800 million within 24 hours, intensifying the upward push in prices.
Paramount resolves Warner Bros Discovery deal lawsuitParamount Skydance, a major American film and media conglomerate, announced on Monday that it had reached a settlement with California and 11 additional states. These states had previously filed suit to block Paramount’s $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, citing concerns over reduced competition and market dominance in the film and television industry.
As part of the agreement, Paramount will allocate a minimum of $300 million extra each year toward domestic movie production. The deal further requires an increase in the company’s annual film output after the acquisition closes.
Under the terms, Paramount will produce 30 movies annually over the first two years and deliver 32 movies each year in the following three years. Of these, at least four films per year must be independent productions, and at least 20% must be classified as blockbusters.
The company has also committed to establishing an editorial independence board to ensure newsroom autonomy at CBS and CNN.
Rob Bonta, California’s Attorney General, said the settlement addresses questions regarding movie production and news editorial freedom.
Rob Bonta stated that the agreement addresses key concerns about both the volume of movie production and safeguarding newsroom independence within the newly merged media group.
In July, the states issued their lawsuit with claims that the merger could limit consumer choice and allow the consolidated entity to raise prices for movies and television content.
Paramount and Warner Bros estimated combined savings of $6 billion from the merger, though the new company is expected to bear $80 billion in debt once the deal closes.
Following the settlement, shares of Paramount declined by more than 2% on Monday, while Warner Bros Discovery saw its stock price rise over 10%.
Additionally, the Writers Guild of America secured a separate settlement with Paramount, including a $17.5 million healthcare fund and new employment safeguards for CBS and CNN staff.
Mini dictionary: Paramount Skydance, an American media conglomerate, owns major film studios and television properties, including CBS, and plans to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, another leading global entertainment company.
Gold dips on rate hike speculationGold prices dropped on Monday after expectations of further monetary tightening in the United States lifted the value of the dollar. Spot gold fell 0.6% to $4,349.05 an ounce and reached a session low of $4,322.19 earlier in the day. US gold futures closed 0.78% lower at $4,383.60.
Strength in the US dollar, following the Federal Reserve’s recent rate increase, pushed the greenback up more than 1% against rival currencies last week. A firmer dollar typically raises the cost of gold for international investors.
Market traders anticipated an 88% probability of an additional US rate hike in December, as tracked by the CME FedWatch Tool.
In precious metals trading, spot silver slipped 0.15% to $66.12. Platinum edged up 0.21% to $1,811, while palladium added 0.23% to $1,322.5.
Oil prices fall as Saudi shipments increaseGlobal oil prices registered their lowest point in 12 days as investors tracked developing diplomatic initiatives surrounding the Iran war and noted improved export figures from Saudi Arabia.
In Monday’s trading, Brent crude’s November contract dropped 3.6% to $100.1 per barrel, while WTI’s October contract, due to expire Tuesday, slid 4.75% to $95.54 a barrel.
ContractChangeLatest PriceBrent (Nov)-3.6%$100.1WTI (Oct)-4.75%$95.54Investors kept a close watch on the United Nations meeting this week for signs of possible progress in US-Iran peace negotiations.
State-owned Saudi Aramco, one of the world’s largest oil companies, increased shipments, loading around 14 million barrels onto seven supertankers in the Middle East Gulf on Sunday. Satellite data indicated Saudi oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz averaged 2.9 million barrels daily over the past six days, up significantly from 700,000 barrels per day in August.
Mini dictionary: Saudi Aramco, formally known as the Saudi Arabian Oil Company, is the world’s largest oil producer, controlling a significant share of global crude exports and influencing global prices through its output and shipment policies.
Bitcoin momentum and analyst outlooksThe recent surge in Bitcoin resulted in the asset climbing more than 50% over the past two months, with some analysts describing the move as the start of a “new bull market.”
Bitfinex Alpha explained that further gains will require sustained buying pressure, a rise in open interest, and new capital investments in US spot Bitcoin ETFs. The research group also noted that a daily close below $77,100 could invalidate the current bullish setup and potentially push the price toward the $76,677 True Market Mean.
Rekt Capital, another prominent crypto analyst, stated that Bitcoin had broken out of its pattern of lower highs that persisted since October 2025. The analyst highlighted a new potential range for Bitcoin trading between $86,681 and $93,659.
The Bitcoin treasury company Strategy on Monday disclosed in a regulatory filing that it acquired 950 Bitcoin between September 14 and September 20 for roughly $75.7 million, at an average price of $79,670 per coin. The purchase, reported in a Form 8-K dated September 21, is the company’s first since it added 4,603 Bitcoin at the end of August and lifts its total holdings to 846,000 Bitcoin.
Purchase and Treasury Details As of September 20, Strategy held 846,000 Bitcoin acquired for an aggregate $63.80 billion at an average price of $75,416. The company valued its Bitcoin reserve at roughly $68.7 billion, and reported $5.04 billion in its U.S. dollar reserve and $1.05 billion in USD cash. It did not sell any shares under its at-the-market offering program during the week, meaning the latest purchase was funded entirely from cash on hand.
First Buy Since Late August The 950-Bitcoin purchase ends a three-week pause in accumulation. Strategy’s previous buy was the 4,603 Bitcoin it reported on August 31, which itself was its first acquisition after a two-month hiatus. The weeks in between brought preferred-stock repurchases and, earlier in 2026, bitcoin sales, making this week’s filing a return to adding to the treasury.
Preferred Stock Buybacks Continue Alongside the Bitcoin purchase, Strategy repurchased 1,771,238 shares of its Series A Perpetual Stretch preferred stock (STRC) for $174.0 million during the week. The company has $875.1 million remaining under its digital credit securities repurchase program and $1.0 billion under its Class A common stock (MSTR) repurchase program. It repurchased no MSTR, STRK, STRF, or STRD shares in the period.
A Soft Quarter for Yield The filing continues a weaker stretch for Strategy’s headline metric. The company reported Bitcoin yield of negative 11.7% quarter-to-date and negative 3.6% year-to-date, figures that track the decline in Bitcoin’s price from its highs earlier in the year. Even so, Strategy’s 846,000-Bitcoin reserve remains the largest corporate treasury of the asset, and the company continues to fund purchases and buybacks from cash rather than new share sales.
AUTHOR
Jide Idowu is a skilled freelance writer with expertise in blockchain technology, cryptocurrency, and digital finance. Known for his ability to break down complex topics into clear, engaging content, Jide crafts articles, blog posts, and analyses that resonate with both beginners and seasoned professionals. His work spans a wide range of subjects, from emerging crypto trends to in-depth explorations of blockchain innovations. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for educating readers, Jide is a reliable voice in the rapidly evolving world of digital assets.
Bitcoin surged over 6% and climbed above $85,000 on Monday, despite the US Senate’s decision last week to halt progress on the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act. The rebound demonstrated a swift return of buyers to the market, even as federal crypto legislation remained stalled.
On September 15, the Senate declined to advance the Clarity Act with a 49-50 vote, falling short of the 60 votes required for cloture. The proposed bill sought to establish clearer regulatory guidelines over digital assets and clarify jurisdiction between federal agencies overseeing the US crypto sector.
Following the failed vote, cryptocurrency prices initially dropped as investors responded to ongoing uncertainty over legislative oversight. However, Bitcoin staged a strong recovery, rising above previous support levels in a display of renewed confidence among buyers.
Legislative Disagreements RemainThe Clarity Act’s progress was hindered by persistent divisions among lawmakers. Democrats cited concerns regarding ethics provisions and potential conflicts involving the family interests of President Donald Trump in the crypto sector. Meanwhile, some Republicans also expressed internal disagreements, preventing the measure from advancing.
After last-minute revisions incorporating new ethics language, the bill continued to face resistance. The Senate retains the option to revisit the measure, as a motion to reconsider remains available, but the path forward appears uncertain amid ongoing partisan disputes.
Mini dictionary: Clarity Act, a proposed US bill aiming to clarify the regulatory framework for digital assets and enhance division of oversight among federal agencies. The bill seeks to reduce ambiguity in crypto market rules and set clearer boundaries between the SEC and CFTC.
Lawmakers remained deeply divided on ethics requirements and regulatory oversight, with both Democratic and Republican members unable to reach consensus on changes to the Clarity Act.
ETF Inflows and Market MomentumAs Bitcoin rebounded, demand for US spot Bitcoin ETFs returned. Spot ETFs collectively took in nearly $593 million in net inflows across Thursday and Friday after heavy outflows earlier in the week. Analysts view inflows into regulated Bitcoin products as an indication of renewed institutional interest.
DateNet Bitcoin ETF InflowsBitcoin PriceSept 17–18$592.5 millionAbove $85,000Earlier in weekHeavy outflowsBelow $80,000Investor focus has shifted to ongoing ETF flows and market structure rulemaking in Washington. Market participants are closely monitoring these indicators for signs of sustained capital allocation into digital assets.
ETFs added close to $593 million in new investments in just two days, contributing to Bitcoin’s climb above $86,000 and highlighting the role of institutional flows in supporting the rally.
Federal Reserve Rate Decision and OutlookBitcoin’s rally also followed the Federal Reserve’s decision to increase its policy rate by 25 basis points last week. The central bank’s move did not prevent the cryptocurrency from maintaining support around $76,000 shortly after the announcement and moving higher as the week progressed.
With Bitcoin now trading well above levels from before the Senate vote, traders continue to track developments in US crypto policy, ETF inflows, and interest rate changes. Analysts suggest any renewed effort to advance market structure legislation in Washington could have further impact on sentiment and price action.
Bitcoin has broken above two important levels this week. Its 50-week moving average, currently sitting around $78,320, and its previous swing high from May. According to one chart analyst tracking the move, this confirms Bitcoin completed a five-part upward pattern that started from July’s low, the kind of structure that typically signals a real trend rather than just a bounce.
Why This Move Isn’t Surprising, If You Know the Pattern
The analyst explained how this kind of move usually plays out. It starts slow, with most people not noticing anything has changed. Then comes a boring sideways pause that makes people lose interest.
After that, the move turns aggressive, catching latecomers and short-sellers off guard and forcing them to buy in fast. Another quiet pause follows, then one final push higher, this final stage needs less new buying pressure since most interested buyers are already in.
Where Bitcoin Could Go Next
Bitcoin has already reached the minimum target for this pattern, around $85,000, but that’s considered a weak outcome. A more solid target sits between $88,600 and $92,220, and if the rally extends further, it could reach as high as $97,637.
A Warning Sign Worth Watching
Even with prices climbing, momentum is showing a subtle warning. The RSI, a tool measuring buying strength, is posting a lower peak even as Bitcoin’s price sets a higher one. This mismatch, called a bearish divergence, often shows up near the end of a strong rally. It doesn’t mean a drop is coming immediately, but it suggests momentum could be losing steam.
What Happens After This Rally
A pullback after this kind of move is considered normal. It doesn’t have to be severe, Bitcoin could even hold above that 50-week moving average near $78,320. The analyst also flagged a broader support zone near $75,000 as worth watching if a deeper pullback happens, though he was clear this isn’t a price target, just a reference zone for where buyers may return if Bitcoin tops out.
Near-Term Levels to Watch
On the shorter timeframe, Bitcoin has completed a smaller five-part rally starting from its September 15 low. The key level to watch is $80,120. As long as that holds, the short-term uptrend stays intact. A confirmed break below it would be the first real sign Bitcoin has topped out for now.
Support also sits between $80,566 and $82,985, with $82,800 a level Bitcoin may retest soon. If it holds that zone and pushes higher again, $88,900 becomes the next realistic target.
Story Ends Here
Trust with CoinPedia:CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.
Investment Disclaimer:All opinions and insights shared represent the author's own views on current market conditions. Please do your own research before making investment decisions. Neither the writer nor the publication assumes responsibility for your financial choices.
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22 September 2026 | 00:09 Bitcoin briefly reached $87,374 before slipping below $87,000. The next $3,000 could prove unusually volatile because estimated short-liquidation exposure increases toward $90,000.
The short answer The nearest captured CoinGlass reading above $90,000 is $90,278, where estimated cumulative short-liquidation leverage reaches $574.72 million.
That does not mean exactly $575 million will be liquidated as soon as Bitcoin touches $90,000. It represents estimated exposure across the route from the map’s $86,900 reference price to approximately $90,300.
Bitcoin continued higher after breaking the May peak Bitcoin crossed $87,000 on September 21 and reached $87,374 on the Bitstamp BTC/USD four-hour chart. Price had eased to approximately $86,865 at 20:49 UTC, leaving the market about 3.5% below $90,000.
The move extended the breakout that began when Bitcoin passed the May 2026 swing high near $82,800. Our earlier examination of the advance through $84,000 found that forced short closures likely added momentum after the previous resistance gave way.
Bitcoin has gained roughly another $3,000 since that first push above $84,000. The latest question is whether the remaining short exposure above the market could provide another burst of forced buying.
Bitcoin briefly reached $87,374 before returning below $87,000, while four-hour RSI climbed to approximately 87. Source: TradingView. The estimated exposure grows quickly above $87,600 The CoinGlass Bitcoin Exchange Liquidation Map was set to a 90-day window and showed a reference price of $86,900 when checked. The small difference from the Bitstamp quote reflects timing and exchange pricing.
By $87,660, CoinGlass estimated cumulative short-liquidation leverage of $244.84 million. By $90,278, that figure increased to $574.72 million.
How the short exposure builds
COINGLASS REFERENCE PRICE
$86,900
CUMULATIVE ESTIMATE BY $87,660
$244.84 million
CUMULATIVE ESTIMATE BY $90,278
$574.72 million
Approximately $330 million—or 57%—of the cumulative estimate lies between $87,660 and $90,278. The concentration therefore becomes substantially larger during the final part of the move toward $90,000.
The captured CoinGlass data does not include a reading at exactly $90,000. Describing the figure as “$575 million at $90,000” would therefore be too precise. The available data supports a narrower conclusion: a move through $90,000 and toward $90,278 could expose roughly $575 million in cumulative short-liquidation leverage.
CoinGlass estimated $244.84 million in cumulative short-liquidation leverage by $87,660, based on a reference price of $86,900. What happens when a short is liquidated? A short trader is positioned for Bitcoin to fall. When price rises instead, the position loses money and its available margin shrinks. If the remaining collateral can no longer support the trade, the exchange may close it automatically.
The cumulative estimate reached $574.72 million near $90,278, approximately $330 million above the reading at $87,660. Closing a short requires an offsetting buy in the futures or perpetual market. If many positions are closed during the same advance, those orders can push derivatives prices higher. If derivatives begin trading above spot, arbitrage traders may buy spot Bitcoin and sell futures to capture the difference, transmitting part of that pressure to the spot market.
This is how a short squeeze can reinforce itself: rising prices force some shorts to close, those closures add buying pressure, and the resulting move reaches the liquidation levels of other traders.
The process still needs an initial price increase. Liquidations can accelerate an existing breakout, but they cannot pull Bitcoin toward $90,000 without buying pressure appearing first.
Why $574.72 million is not guaranteed What the map cannot know in advance Which traders will close voluntarily Who will add collateral before liquidation How many new positions will open How prices will differ across exchanges Whether Bitcoin will reach every displayed level CoinGlass calculates potential liquidation areas from market data and assumed leverage levels. The resulting map is a risk estimate, not a live list of fixed liquidation orders.
The displayed exposure can change before Bitcoin reaches the relevant price. A trader may reduce a short, increase margin or reverse the trade entirely. New shorts can also enter after the snapshot, raising the eventual total.
“Cumulative” is important here. The $574.72 million reading represents estimated exposure across the route toward $90,278. It is not one block of shorts scheduled to close together at a single price.
Momentum could accelerate—and destabilize—the move Bitcoin’s four-hour relative strength index reached approximately 87 in the attached chart. RSI measures how quickly price has moved, and readings above 70 are traditionally described as overbought.
That does not require an immediate decline. Bitcoin can remain overbought during a strong trend. It does mean the advance is already stretched before price reaches the next large concentration of estimated liquidations.
A fast push through $90,000 could therefore produce two effects at once. Forced short closures may add speed to the breakout, while the elevated RSI leaves the market more exposed to profit-taking once that forced buying slows.
The first reaction above $90,000 would matter most The liquidation map explains why Bitcoin could move quickly toward and through $90,000. It does not show who would continue buying after the shorts were closed.
If spot demand remains strong, the market could absorb profit-taking and begin establishing support above $90,000. If demand fades after the liquidation-driven orders pass through, Bitcoin could briefly cross the level and then fall back below it.
Forced closures may help Bitcoin reach a new range. Whether it can remain there will depend on buyers choosing to enter, not traders whose positions leave them no choice.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency prices, leverage and estimated liquidation levels can change rapidly.
Author
Alex is Editor-in-Chief of Coindoo and co-founder of Millennial Media Group, with nearly a decade of experience covering financial markets - crypto first, then everything else. It started in 2016 with Bitcoin. Like most people at the time, he didn't fully understand it - so he kept digging. Blockchain, tokenomics, the projects, the cycles. That curiosity never stopped, and eventually pulled him into traditional markets too: equities, commodities, macro. Not because he left crypto behind, but because you can't properly understand one without the other. What drives him is straightforward: he wants to know why something is happening, not just that it's happening. Most market coverage stops at the headline - price up, price down, here's a chart. Alex finds that kind of reporting actively unhelpful. If you walk away from an article without understanding the mechanism behind the move, what did you actually learn? He holds a degree in Tourism from New Bulgarian University - not the most obvious path into financial markets, but markets have a way of pulling in people who are simply too curious to stay out. He has authored over 200 in-depth analyses and more than 10,000 articles across crypto and traditional finance. He still thinks every day in markets teaches him something new. That's probably why he hasn't stopped.
Strategy and Strive revealed on Monday that they had purchased a combined total of 2,305 BTC for $182.7 million as the price of Bitcoin surged above $86,000.
Major purchases and market movesStrategy disclosed in a recent filing that it acquired 950 bitcoins for $75.7 million last week, marking its first significant purchase since August. Meanwhile, Strive confirmed the acquisition of 1,355 BTC, spending $107.7 million to further strengthen its holdings.
These major investments coincided with Bitcoin’s latest rally. The cryptocurrency reached $86,282 earlier in the day and held steady at $86,008, reflecting a 6% increase over the previous 24 hours.
Publicly traded companies Strategy and Strive have consistently been prominent players in corporate Bitcoin accumulation. Following a 10-week pause to focus on share buybacks and cash reserves, Strategy resumed purchasing Bitcoin at the end of August, accumulating almost $370 million in recent weeks.
Strategy and Strive acquired a combined 2,305 BTC for $182.7 million as Bitcoin traded above $86,000. Strategy’s latest purchase was its first since August, with Strive continuing a streak of weekly buys.
Strategy, recognized as the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, now owns 846,000 BTC valued at $72.7 billion based on current prices. Alongside its Bitcoin acquisition, Strategy also completed a $174 million repurchase of its STRC perpetual preferred shares. This share buyback initiative had temporarily paused the company’s Bitcoin purchasing earlier this year.
Despite the founder and chairman Michael Saylor’s well-known philosophy of “never sell your bitcoin,” Strategy has occasionally sold small portions of its Bitcoin holdings, typically to manage operations, repay debt, or fund share buybacks.
In recent months, the company has shifted its focus back to strengthening its crypto treasury, especially after starting fresh purchases in late August.
Strive’s continued accumulation and corporate ranksStrive has maintained a consistent pattern of weekly Bitcoin purchases, gradually moving up the ranks among publicly listed companies holding the digital asset. With its current holdings reaching 26,355 BTC valued at $2.2 billion, Strive stands as the fifth largest corporate holder of Bitcoin.
On Monday, Strategy’s stock (NASDAQ: MSTR) advanced 8%, while Strive (NASDAQ: ASST) traded slightly lower but had recently surpassed $30 per share, outperforming most Wall Street analyst price targets.
Bitcoin treasury firms overall faced a challenging 2026, with several—including Satsuma, Smarter Web Company, Sequans, Nakamoto, and Empery Digital—selling off portions of their holdings to address debt, support operations, or finance stock buybacks. Some companies have even transitioned to new business ventures such as AI infrastructure due to share price declines.
Wider market developments and meme token activityMonday’s surge in Bitcoin price follows last week’s decision from the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates and the stalling of the Clarity Act, key crypto legislation, in Congress—developments that have not dampened investor sentiment. Despite the current rally, Bitcoin’s price remains more than 30% below the all-time high of $126,080 set in October.
As market participants navigate these dramatic price movements, attention is also turning toward meme token activity and investor strategies. In the meme token market, an internet trend can transform into millions of dollars of interest within days. According to data shared by Fomo App, a trade involving “Niu Lai”—which turned an initial $99 investment into approximately $370,000—stands out as a striking example of this activity. In this market, tracking not only prices but also the timing and token choices of investors is crucial. Fomo App brings token discovery and trading together on a single platform, featuring social feeds, investor rankings, and trade notifications. Discover Fomo App to follow the world of meme tokens alongside investor activity.
TL;DR Bitcoin crossed $85,000 on September 21, reaching a session high of $85,174.35. That marked BTC’s highest spot level since January 2026. The move is a price milestone, not confirmation of a new bull-market leg. Bitcoin pushed through $85,000 on September 21, putting the market back at a level it had not seen since January.
The move took BTC to a session high of $85,174.35, according to the validated spot-price snapshot used for this report. That makes the reclaim notable for a simple reason: the market spent roughly eight months below this part of the range.
Bitcoin Returns To An Eight-Month High The cleanest way to read the move is as a change in where Bitcoin is trading, rather than an invitation to attach a larger forecast to it.
Crossing $85,000 matters because it restores a price zone that had effectively remained out of reach through much of 2026. It also gives traders a new reference point after months in which rallies repeatedly failed to push BTC back toward its January highs.
What the move does not establish on its own is how durable the break will be. A session high can tell us where buyers were able to push price; it cannot, by itself, tell us whether the market will hold that level over the next several daily closes.
That distinction matters especially in Bitcoin, where a headline level can attract both fresh spot demand and short-term derivatives positioning at the same time.
The Next Test Is Whether $85,000 Holds For now, the confirmed development is straightforward: BTC traded above $85,000 and printed its highest spot level in eight months.
The more useful follow-up will come from how the market behaves around the reclaimed zone. If Bitcoin can spend time above it rather than immediately slipping back below, $85,000 could begin functioning as a more meaningful reference level. If the move fades quickly, the session may instead be remembered as another volatility spike inside a still-fragile range.
Either way, the September 21 move has already changed the short-term market picture by putting a price that had been absent since January back on the board.
This article was written by the News Desk and edited by Samuel Rae.
Crypto market sentiment has entered extreme greed territory, with @CoinMarketCap's Fear and Greed Index climbing to 80 on September 21, up from 72 the previous day. The reading puts sentiment just two points below this year's high of 82, recorded on August 27, and a world away from February's low of 5.
Market Cap Surges to $2.94 Trillion
$BTC gained over 7% to trade around $86,700, while $ETH added 5.6% to approximately $2,765.
What the Index Is Telling Markets
Historically, periods of extreme greed can signal that markets are running hot, though sentiment alone is not a reliable timing indicator.
The sharp move in sentiment comes after a difficult first half of the year. The recovery since then has been significant.
Sources
CoinMarketCap Fear and Greed Index
CoinMarketCap Global Market Overview
CoinGecko 2026 Q2 Crypto Industry Report
BitGo, one of the longest-running institutional custody providers in crypto, has fully deployed a suite of quantum-risk management tools designed to keep Bitcoin public keys from being exposed on-chain. The rollout, which completed on July 22, introduces four new security controls that work within BitGo’s existing multi-signature wallet framework, requiring no protocol changes and no new tokens.
The central idea is deceptively simple: if a public key has never been revealed on the blockchain, a quantum computer can’t use it as an attack vector. BitGo’s new tooling is built around making that principle practical at institutional scale.
What BitGo actually built The update centers on four principal controls. The most visible is the Quantum Risk Score, an exposure metric baked directly into the BitGo platform that gives users a real-time read on how much of their holdings sit behind already-exposed public keys.
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There’s also a guided workflow that helps users move funds from compromised addresses to fresh ones, reducing the attack surface without requiring deep technical knowledge. On the transaction level, BitGo developed a UTXO selection method that limits public-key exposure during routine sends.
CEO Mike Belshe framed the philosophy behind the update in straightforward terms.
“The safest key is one whose public key has never been revealed on-chain.”
Why public-key exposure matters now Bitcoin uses public-key cryptography. When you send Bitcoin, your public key gets revealed on the blockchain. Today, deriving the private key from a public key is computationally infeasible for classical computers. But quantum computers could theoretically crack that math.
Data from Glassnode suggests roughly 6 to 7 million BTC currently have exposed public keys on-chain. That’s nearly 30% of Bitcoin’s total supply.
BitGo’s positioning in the custody landscape BitGo has been in the multi-signature wallet business since 2013, making it one of the oldest institutional-grade custody providers in the industry. The company pioneered the multi-sig approach that requires multiple private keys to authorize a transaction, a model that has become standard for institutional Bitcoin storage.
By working within the existing multi-sig framework, BitGo avoids the friction that comes with asking clients to migrate to entirely new systems. The initial announcement came on July 9, with the full implementation of capabilities landing on July 22.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Bitcoin just closed a weekly candle above its 50-week simple moving average for the first time this cycle, and Sean Hagan puts roughly 80% confidence on this being a genuine regime change. In this Chart of the Day, he and Grace Remington break down why this indicator has historically marked the line between bull and bear regimes, what one additional weekly close would confirm, and the only two times in Bitcoin’s history the signal didn’t hold. With Bitcoin up nearly 10% on the week and pushing through $86K, the timing lines up almost exactly with the one-year window from all-time high to cycle bottom.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BTC Inc., Bitcoin Magazine, or any affiliated entities. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, legal, tax, or accounting advice. Nothing contained in this show constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. Viewers should consult their own advisors before making financial or business decisions.
Patrick Green
Patrick Green is an Assistant Producer and Channel Manager on the multimedia team at Bitcoin Magazine, focusing on production, content distribution, and channel strategy across the network.
X has sued Vivek Kumar Sen, Zamyang Sherpa, and other unnamed individuals in the UK High Court, accusing them of operating a coordinated bot network that manipulated engagement data to defraud at least £207,400 (approximately $278,000) from X’s Creator Revenue Sharing Program. X alleges the defendants operated 6 primary accounts and at least 3 secondary accounts, regularly posting highly similar Bitcoin content and generating fake engagement via mutual likes, retweets, and other interactions between the accounts. Stripe accounts linked to some of the accounts were found to use names and bank accounts mismatched with the actual operators to obscure fund sources. X states the network participated in the Creator Revenue Sharing Program from 2023 to 2026; the program, which allocated ad revenue based on engagement metrics including likes, replies, and retweets, was officially shut down on September 7 and replaced by Original Content Rewards, which explicitly excludes "artificially generated" fake engagement. X suspended the 9 accounts in question on August 18, demanding the defendants return at least $278,000, plus claims for investigation costs, damages, interest, and legal fees. As of September 21, no defendants have submitted a defense in the case.
Bitcoin surged past the key resistance level of $82,000 to hit a high of $87,300, triggering liquidations of around $750 million in bearish crypto derivative positions, with buying pressure from short covering further fueling the price rally. Since the breakout, Bitcoin’s derivative open interest has added roughly $2 billion, indicating a rapid return of market leverage. Nansen analyst Nicolai Sondergaard noted that “prices are turning bullish faster than position adjustments.” U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs, which had faced headwinds from the CLARITY Act and Federal Reserve rate hikes, saw a combined outflow of $746 million on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by inflows of $160 million and $433 million on Thursday and Friday respectively. The average cost basis for U.S. Bitcoin ETF holders is around $82,200; with Bitcoin breaking above this level, ETF investors as a whole have returned to profitability. Looking ahead, Sondergaard identifies $87,000 as the next key level, with $90,000 and $92,000 as subsequent targets; Wintermute trader Jasper De Maere also believes Bitcoin could test $90,000. However, he pointed out that breaking above the 50-week moving average is merely a positive signal, and significant volatility could still occur in the short term. The market is now closely watching whether spot and ETF inflows can sustain the rally. Sondergaard warned that if spot demand fails to keep pace with the growth in derivative leverage, the rally could become leverage-driven and reverse rapidly amid rising U.S. Treasury yields or geopolitical shocks. Wintermute advised focusing on ETF flows, perpetual contract open interest and funding rates in the coming days, as well as the options expiration this Friday.
