Bitcoin surges as US government shutdown ignites the market

  • Bitcoin has surged to its highest level in over two months, above $119,000.
  • The rally is a direct reaction to the US government shutting down operations.
  • The shutdown is expected to create a “positive liquidity impulse” for markets.

The political paralysis in Washington has become the crypto market’s rocket fuel.

Bitcoin has surged to its highest level in over two months, blasting past the $119,000 mark as the US government officially shut down its operations, a dramatic development that traders are betting will ultimately unleash a wave of new liquidity into the financial system.

The leading cryptocurrency has jumped nearly 4 percent in the past 24 hours, with prices briefly touching $119,455 for the first time since mid-August.

The rally was broad-based, with other major tokens like Ether, XRP, and Solana all rising between 4 and 7 percent.

This is the market’s clear and unambiguous verdict on the chaos gripping the US capital.

A bet on a blind Fed, a wager on new money

The logic behind the rally is a bet on the second-order effects of the shutdown. With the government’s lights now off, the release of key economic data—most notably Friday’s all-important nonfarm payrolls report—will likely be delayed.

This data blackout will effectively blind the Federal Reserve, making it far more likely to proceed with its planned interest rate cuts.

“If ADP is a leading signal and the BLS print is delayed, the Fed is likely to deliver a 25 bp cut in October and pair it with guidance that keeps a second cut on the table by December,” said Matt Mena, a Crypto Research Strategist at 21Shares.

This is the “positive liquidity impulse” that has the market so excited: an expansion of liquidity that makes it easier and cheaper to borrow money, a dynamic that encourages economic growth and, crucially, risk-taking in financial markets.

For some, this shutdown surge is more than just a temporary trade; it is a sign of a fundamental shift in the market’s DNA.

“The message is clear: with traditional data releases in flux and macro uncertainty running high, Bitcoin remains one of the few assets that thrives when the old playbook breaks down,” Mena noted.

“Investors should be watching this moment closely – it could mark the next explosive leg higher in crypto markets.”

The volatility trade: ‘options look cheap’

This expectation of an “explosive” move is now being actively priced into the derivatives market.

According to Greg Magadini, the Director of Derivatives at Amberdata, the long dry spell of low volatility may be about to end, and options are currently looking cheap.

“After a long ‘dry spell’ for BTC volatility, the US government shutdown could finally be the catalyst to make BTC move a lot,” Magadini told CoinDesk.

This, coupled with the steep contango in implied volatility term structure, makes options look cheap.

That “steep contango” means the market is expecting future volatility to be significantly higher than it is today, making near-term options a relative bargain.

Magadini highlighted the “long straddle”—a strategy that profits from a big price move in either direction—as a preferred way to play the impending volatility boom.

“These catalysts could either cause BTC to rally (as a dollar hedge) or crash (if risk assets panic),” he said, explaining why a bet on pure volatility, rather than direction, is so appealing at this uncertain juncture. The quiet days, it seems, are over.

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Bitcoin’s rare September gains defy history: Data predicts a 50% Q4 rally to 170,000 dollars

  • Bitcoin is on track to close September with a rare positive gain of 4.5 percent.
  • Historically, a green September has preceded an average Q4 rally of over 50 percent.
  • If the pattern holds, Bitcoin could be eyeing the 170,000 dollar region by year-end.

In a powerful and rare defiance of its own grim history, Bitcoin is on the verge of closing the books on a positive September.

This is no small feat. The month has long been the cruelest on the crypto calendar, a consistent sea of red that has earned it the ominous nickname “Red September.”

But this year, a 4.5 percent gain has flipped the script, and in doing so, it may have just lit the fuse for an explosive rally into the final quarter of the year.

A prophecy written in the charts

History doesn’t repeat, but it often rhymes. And in the world of Bitcoin, the rhyme of a green September is a powerful and bullish prophecy.

According to historical data, on the rare occasions that Bitcoin has managed to close September in positive territory—in 2015, 2016, 2023, and 2024—the final quarter of the year has produced spectacular results, with average returns soaring to more than 53 percent.

In those instances, the fourth quarter returns have ranged from a powerful 45 percent to a stunning 66 percent.

If that historical pattern were to play out again this year, Bitcoin could be eyeing the 170,000 dollar region before the calendar flips to 2026.

The data shows that October typically acts as the launchpad for these powerful moves, with an average gain of 21.8 percent, while November continues the ascent.

This seasonal effect has been particularly profitable in the years following a Bitcoin halving, as a potent cocktail of capital inflows and bullish market positioning combine to push the asset into a fresh phase of price discovery.

The view from the blockchain: a bullish tide is turning

This bullish seasonal setup is not just a statistical anomaly; it is being actively confirmed by the deep undercurrents of the blockchain itself.

Key on-chain metrics are now flashing green, signaling a fundamental and powerful shift in market momentum.

The Spot Taker Cumulative Volume Delta (CVD), a crucial indicator that tracks the difference between market buy and market sell volumes, has flipped positive on a 90-day basis for the first time since mid-July.

This is a clear and direct signal that a “Taker Buy Dominant Phase” is underway, a period where buying pressure is now decisively outweighing selling activity.

At the same time, the Coinbase premium index has been highlighting consistent and aggressive accumulation by US investors throughout the third quarter.

The powerful alignment of these two key on-chain metrics reinforces the view that a new wave of buying momentum is not just coming—it’s already here.

The stage is set, the signals are aligning, and the final quarter of the year could once again prove to be a decisive and explosive one for the world’s leading digital asset.

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Bitcoin surges to $112K as Strategy adds 196 BTC, analysts eye $120K potential

  • Bitcoin hits $112k, fueled by institutional buying.
  • Strategy added 196 BTC, increasing its holdings to 640,031 BTC.
  • Analysts see potential for $120,000 but warn of volatility risks.

Bitcoin (BTC) has surged to $112k, fueled by renewed institutional interest and a significant acquisition by Strategy, the world’s largest corporate Bitcoin holder.

Strategy acquires 196 BTC, holdings hit 640,031

Strategy, formerly MicroStrategy, has announced the acquisition of 196 Bitcoin for an undisclosed amount, bringing its total holdings to 640,031 BTC, according to a Form 8-K filing.

The purchase, funded through the company’s ATM offering programs, outlines Strategy’s position as the leading corporate Bitcoin treasury, with holdings valued at approximately $71.7 billion based on current market prices.

The acquisition follows a pattern of consistent buying, with Strategy adding 850 BTC on September 22, 2025, and 525 BTC on September 15, 2025, at an average price of $114,562 per BTC.

Michael Saylor, the Executive Chairman, has a strategy of leveraging equity and debt financing to accumulate BTC which has solidified the company’s role as a Bitcoin-backed treasury model.

This latest purchase concurs with Bitcoin’s price climbing to $112,500, reflecting a 2.9% increase from $109,525.50 three days prior.

Analysts on BTC price outlook

Analysts are cautiously optimistic about Bitcoin’s price trajectory following its climb to $112,000.

The surge aligns with the Strategy’s aggressive accumulation and broader market momentum, but opinions vary on future movements.

Analysts have projected BTC could reach $150k-$200k in 2025, and institutional adoption and macroeconomic factors are seen as key tailwinds. However, some say volatility means bears may not be done yet.

QCP analysts shared their outlook

“After a volatile September, $BTC is still up more than 3% on the month. Options markets show conviction slowly returning, but the 115k level remains the hurdle to clear for a renewed uptrend.”

Bitcoin at ‘Buy’ for dip level?

According to QCP analysts, the crypto market is showing “signs of recovery” following the carnage seen the previous week. The shakeout that saw BTC trade to under $109k may nonetheless offer a buy-the-dip opportunity.

“Despite sizable ETF outflows, particularly on Friday, spot managed to hold sideways through the weekend. This points to quarter-end basis unwinds as a key driver of redemptions, with markets absorbing the selling pressure more smoothly than expected,” QCP wrote. “With spot rebounding, this week’s ETF flows could set the tone for institutional demand heading into a seasonally bullish month.”

Strategy’s consistent buying is seen as a bullish signal, with potential U.S. policies on digital assets influencing long-term price stability.

If bulls rally, Bitcoin’s ability to break past $117k will be crucial. The level marks a sizable supply wall area and will b pivotal for a breakout above $118k and retest of the $120k mark.

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Bitcoin, Ethereum, altcoins tumble after US GDP surprise; $1.1B liquidations hit market

  • Bitcoin drops below $109K amid hawkish macro data and Fed uncertainty.
  • $1.1B in leveraged positions liquidated, led by ETH longs.
  • Crypto stocks and miners slide, with MSTR and Coinbase under pressure.

The crypto market turned defensive as traders sized up hawkish macro data and tumbling crypto stocks.

Sentiment soured after the US GDP revision, with investors recalibrating their bets on a Fed rate cut. Bitcoin and major altcoins slid, dragged by the specter of sticky interest rates and souring risk appetite.

The recent drop punctuates a volatile week, but for many, it’s more a tactical retreat than a full-on capitulation.

With liquidations mounting and market leaders under pressure, eyes now turn to next week’s economic releases to see if crypto can recapture its footing.

Crypto market liquidations hit $1.1B

Bitcoin, the market’s heavyweight, has slipped below $111,000 and is trading just above $108,000 at press time, its weakest print in September.

Volume surged as sell orders hit exchanges, with the market cap now sitting at $2.17 trillion and daily turnover topping $75.54 billion.

Ethereum fared worse, shedding 8% in a day as the ETH/BTC ratio gave back all its summer gains.

Solana, previously a darling amid corporate adoption chatter, dropped another 6% in the past 24 hours, and is now nearly 20% down on the week.

DOGE limped lower with the pack, unable to shake off risk-off sentiment. XRP, meanwhile, mirrored the sector’s slide, as hopes for a rate-induced bounce faded.

This synchronized selloff triggered over $1.1 billion in liquidations on leveraged positions, with ETH longs accounting for nearly $400 million in forced closes, according to CoinGlass data.

Despite the selloff, trading volumes remain robust, as speculators and long-term holders alike reposition for the coming months.

GDP revision roils crypto stocks; Fed rate cut bets slip

Thursday’s surprise GDP revision jolted macro-sensitive assets, and the crypto sector was front and center.

The US economy grew 3.8% in Q2, well above expectations, sending Treasury yields to a three-week high and cooling bets on imminent rate cuts.

Bitcoin was hit hardest, breaching $109,000 and touching its lowest in nearly a month.

Ethereum’s losses deepened as investors bailed on high-beta alts. Crypto-tied stocks like MicroStrategy (MSTR), the largest corporate BTC holder, slid 4.5%, while Coinbase (COIN) tumbled 4.1%.

Miners took an even bigger hit: Cipher Mining (CIFR) plunged 9.4% despite positive news, while HIVE, Bitdeer, and Bitfarms dropped by 6-8% each.

Stablecoin issuer Circle (CRCL) and Galaxy Digital (GLXY) extended industry-wide declines. August trading volumes soared, spot and derivatives hit an annual high of $9.72 trillion, with Gate exchange leaping ahead in market share.

But liquidations kept mounting as leveraged longs were wiped out in the latest downturn, and crypto equities are now sitting at multi-month lows.

All eyes are on Friday’s data releases and next week’s Fed commentary to see if battered risk assets find relief, or prepare for another round of turbulence.

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Crypto market loses $160B in ‘Red September’, yet millionaires soar 40% in 2025

  • ‘Red September’ shakes crypto markets, wiping out over $160 billion in value.
  • Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana test critical support levels amid high volatility.
  • Number of crypto millionaires rises 40% in 2025, now at 241,700 globally.

The cryptocurrency market underwent notable turbulence over the past 24 hours, with traders waking up to shifting sentiment and volatile price action on Thursday.

Recent days saw the so-called “Red September” event, which erased over $160 billion from the global crypto market cap amid ongoing macroeconomic pressures, ETF outflows, and liquidations.

Yet, beneath the broad declines, pockets of resilience and buying emerged in selective coins.

With central banks sending mixed signals and regulatory debates intensifying, investors are recalibrating positions, all while institutional flows remain significant.

As Q4 approaches, analysts anticipate a more stable narrative may soon take hold, but volatility remains the dominant theme for now.

Crypto majors test key support levels

Bitcoin (BTC) is oscillating near crucial support levels, recently trading just above $113,000 after rebounding 0.82% in the last 24 hours.

Analysts warn that fading institutional demand could push BTC toward the $108,000 zone if sentiment sours.

Ethereum (ETH) also saw weakness, falling below $4,130, down 1.4% with market-watchers eyeing $3,800 as a possible accumulation point if the decline deepens.

Solana (SOL), despite heavy treasury accumulation, stalled just beneath its 2021 peak, trading near $210 and dipping 1.66% in the last session, testing long-held support.

XRP, conversely, exhibited strength with a 2.93% pop and growing bullish momentum; some chartists see a breakout above $3.33 as pivotal for double-digit ambitions.

Dogecoin (DOGE) held steady, barely advancing 0.2% amid ongoing meme-coin sector liquidations.

Overall, major cryptos remain sensitive to both headline risk and technical factors, with their trajectories hinging on ETF flows, macro signals, and speculative rotation.

Crypto millionaires surge in 2025

The latest Crypto Wealth Report for 2025 highlights just how sharply fortunes have shifted in digital assets, as the number of crypto millionaires worldwide soared 40% year-on-year to reach 241,700.

Leading this surge is Bitcoin, the cornerstone of the crypto economy, with a remarkable 70% jump in those holding seven-figure BTC portfolios, now numbering over 145,000.

At the very top, there are 36 crypto billionaires and 450 “centi-millionaires” who each hold at least $100 million in digital assets.

This wealth explosion comes as the broader market cap of cryptocurrencies hit $3.3 trillion, up 45% from last year, reflecting not just price appreciation but growing adoption globally.

More than ever, Bitcoin is seen less as a speculative bet and more as financial infrastructure: a collateral base for new financial systems operating outside traditional controls.

Notably, the report underscores how crypto’s borderless nature is redrawing global wealth patterns, with Singapore, Hong Kong, and the US emerging as leading destinations for crypto investors.

In this new landscape, holding millions simply means memorizing a 12-word seed phrase, with instant access from anywhere in the world—highlighting a profound shift in how, and where, wealth is stored and moved.

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