Updated: August 28, 2026 | PickNexo

The rally is no longer just a short squeeze. CoinDesk reported that U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have now posted eight straight sessions of net inflows, pulling roughly US$2.8 billion into the funds during the run. Ether ETFs have also extended their own inflow streak, showing that capital is spreading beyond Bitcoin.
Still, the market is not risk-free. Investors.com reported that Fed Chair Kevin Warsh used his Jackson Hole speech to emphasize that inflation remains above target and financial conditions are still relatively loose. That kept stocks mixed and reminded traders that macro policy can still challenge crypto's rebound.
Bitcoin is hovering near US$79,400 to US$80,000 after recently reaching a three-month high above US$81,000. Barron's reported that BTC slipped slightly after touching US$81,326.81 overnight, while Investors.com noted that bitcoin-linked stocks were more volatile as traders took profits.

The key level now is US$80,000. A clean hold above that area would strengthen the bullish case and put US$83,000 into focus as the next technical target. If BTC slips, the US$76,000 to US$77,000 range becomes the first important support zone.
For now, Bitcoin is consolidating from a position of strength. The market has cooled slightly, but the broader breakout remains intact.
ETF demand remains the strongest signal in the market. CoinDesk reported that U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs took in about US$232 million on Wednesday, extending their inflow streak to eight sessions and bringing the run to roughly US$2.8 billion.

This matters because ETF flows show that institutional demand is returning through regulated products. When investors use ETFs, Bitcoin gets a more stable buyer base than when rallies are driven mostly by leveraged futures.
The next test is whether inflows continue after Bitcoin trades near US$80,000. Strong demand at higher prices would make the rally more convincing.
The rebound is not limited to Bitcoin. CoinDesk reported that Ether ETFs are also on an eight-day inflow streak, with Wednesday inflows of about US$192 million and the run passing US$1 billion.

This is important because a healthy crypto rally usually broadens over time. Bitcoin leads first, Ethereum follows, and then capital rotates into stronger altcoin and infrastructure themes.
The risk is that broader participation can also bring more leverage. If altcoin inflows become too speculative, volatility may increase quickly.
Macro policy remains a major driver. Investors.com reported that Fed Chair Kevin Warsh said financial conditions remain relatively loose even though inflation is still above the 2% target, keeping investors cautious after the Jackson Hole speech.

Higher yields usually make speculative assets less attractive. Lower yields and a weaker dollar often support Bitcoin, gold and other alternative assets.
For crypto traders, the message is balanced. The liquidity narrative is strong, but the Fed has not declared victory over inflation.
Investors.com reported that Bitcoin received an unintended boost from the U.S. government after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced plans to double long-term government debt purchases.

This is one reason Bitcoin has started behaving less like a pure tech trade and more like a macro asset. The Block reported that BlackRock's digital assets head Robbie Mitchnick believes Bitcoin's risk-off characteristics have returned to the forefront as investors focus on debt, deficits and currency debasement.
That does not mean Bitcoin is suddenly low risk. It remains volatile. But the narrative has shifted from "crypto speculation" toward "portfolio hedge plus institutional asset."
Stablecoins are back in focus. Cointelegraph reported that the U.S. Treasury is moving forward with rules tied to the GENIUS Act, even though regulators may not finish all details before the law takes effect in January 2027.

Clear rules around reserves, disclosures, redemption and compliance could make stablecoins more acceptable to banks, payment companies and institutional users.
The challenge is implementation. If rules are too strict or unclear, stablecoin companies may struggle to adapt. If they are too loose, trust and consumer protection may suffer.
Cointelegraph's Crypto Biz coverage highlighted stablecoin adoption moving deeper into traditional finance. Circle's stock has continued to benefit from digital-dollar growth, while Aon has piloted stablecoin payments for insurance premiums with Coinbase and Paxos.

Wells Fargo also filed a trademark for crypto-related services under "WFUSD," according to Cointelegraph. Trademark filings do not guarantee a product launch, but they show that major banks are still studying blockchain payments, custody and digital wallet services.
For the market, this is constructive. Stablecoins are becoming one of the clearest bridges between crypto and real-world finance.
CoinDesk reported that Charles Schwab plans to roll out Solana, Avalanche and Chainlink trading in the coming months. Schwab already supports Bitcoin and Ethereum trading through Schwab Crypto, along with access to crypto ETFs and Bitcoin futures.

Adding SOL, AVAX and LINK also shows that the market is moving beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. Investors are looking at smart-contract platforms, infrastructure tokens and oracle networks as part of a broader digital-asset allocation.
The key risk is suitability. Broader access should come with clear education, volatility warnings and risk controls.
CoinDesk's live market coverage also highlighted IREN, which reported fiscal fourth-quarter revenue of US$137.2 million, above expectations, while taking a large non-cash charge tied to Bitcoin mining hardware.

The shift is logical because miners already control power contracts, land and data-center infrastructure. Those assets can be useful for AI workloads, especially as demand for compute continues to rise.
For investors, mining companies are becoming more complex. Bitcoin price still matters, but AI revenue, power costs, debt and data-center execution now matter too.
Even in a stronger market, risk remains. Cointelegraph's latest coverage has continued to track fraud cases, supply-chain attacks, wallet security issues and exchange compliance developments.

Institutions also need stronger custody, compliance and monitoring before they can use crypto rails at larger scale.
For retail users, the lesson is simple: the market may be improving, but security discipline is still essential.
The first signal is Bitcoin's US$80,000 level. A clean hold above that area would strengthen the rally, while a rejection could bring a retest of US$76,000 to US$77,000.
The second signal is ETF flow. Bitcoin ETFs have pulled in roughly US$2.8 billion during the current eight-day streak, but the market needs to see whether inflows continue.
The third signal is macro policy. Jackson Hole showed that the Fed is still focused on inflation, so yields and the dollar remain important.
The fourth signal is stablecoin regulation. GENIUS Act rules will shape how digital dollars are used in payments, banking and institutional settlement.
The fifth signal is broader adoption. Schwab's crypto expansion, Wells Fargo's trademark filing, Aon's stablecoin pilot and miners' AI contracts all show crypto moving into larger financial and technology systems.
Crypto markets are holding strong today, with Bitcoin near US$80,000 and Ethereum above US$2,500. ETF inflows are the strongest bullish signal, while Treasury buybacks and the debasement trade continue to support Bitcoin's macro narrative.
The short-term picture is constructive but cautious. Bitcoin is close to an important psychological level, and traders may take profits after a fast rally.
The long-term picture remains stronger. Stablecoin rules are advancing, Circle and Aon are pushing digital-dollar payments into traditional finance, Schwab is expanding crypto trading access, and miners are finding new AI revenue opportunities.
For investors, this is a market with real momentum but also real volatility. For the industry, the message is clear: crypto's next phase is being shaped by ETFs, stablecoins, brokerages, AI infrastructure, macro liquidity and regulation.
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.
Sources: CoinDesk Live Updates, Investors.com, Investors.com Market Update, Cointelegraph Stablecoin, Cointelegraph Crypto Biz, The Block, Barron's.