New York, Jan 15, 2026, 06:23 EST — Premarket
- Bitcoin climbed roughly 2% to hover near $96,800 before the U.S. session, following a strong two-day surge
- On Jan. 14, U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs saw a significant net inflow, with BlackRock’s IBIT leading the charge
- The Senate Banking Committee delayed its session on the CLARITY Act following objections from Coinbase to the newest draft
Bitcoin climbed roughly 2% to $96,791 early Thursday, holding close to a two-month peak. The gains came amid a surge of inflows into U.S.-listed spot bitcoin ETFs and new developments in U.S. crypto regulation.
This shift is crucial as bitcoin hinges on two familiar catalysts: the potential for another U.S. interest rate cut and Washington’s progress on digital token regulations. Both tend to spark rapid shifts in sentiment—only to lose steam almost as quickly.
Spot bitcoin ETFs — which hold bitcoin outright and trade on stock exchanges — have turned into a go-to measure for institutional appetite. That interest, however, has fluctuated since late 2025.
According to SoSoValue data cited by CoinDesk, U.S. bitcoin ETFs saw net inflows totaling $843.6 million on Jan. 14, with BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) topping the list for the day. 1
In Washington, the Senate Banking Committee delayed its planned executive session on Thursday to review H.R.3633, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025, according to its website. 2
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said the exchange can’t back the bill “in its current form,” calling it “materially worse than the status quo” after lawmakers released a revised draft. The plan aims to clarify when tokens count as securities or commodities and would shift spot-market regulation to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. It also proposes restrictions on interest payments linked to stablecoin holdings, according to Reuters. 3
Crypto-linked stocks edged up in premarket trading. Coinbase added roughly 1.3%, and bitcoin-holder Strategy jumped around 3.7%. Miners Marathon Digital and Riot Platforms also saw gains.
Ether, the world’s second-biggest cryptocurrency, ticked up roughly 2%, hitting $3,360.
Rate expectations remain unsettled. Philadelphia Fed President Anna Paulson indicated Wednesday that more rate cuts might come later this year, provided inflation keeps easing and the labor market holds steady, Reuters reports. 4
Some crypto investors credit momentum for driving gains lately. Sean Farrell, Fundstrat’s head of digital asset strategy, noted, “This momentum continues in the coming days.” LMAX Group strategist Joel Kruger highlighted regulatory moves as “helping support sentiment,” adding that $95,000 carries “technical and psychological” significance, according to 7 .
The rally hasn’t been without hiccups. Traders are eyeing geopolitical developments as a potential trigger for risk-off moves. CoinDesk cautions that bitcoin might fall below $96,000 if the wider markets shift into a defensive stance. 5
Markets are keenly awaiting a fresh update on the Senate’s crypto bill timing after Thursday’s delay, while also tracking if ETF inflows hold steady during the U.S. cash session. On the macro front, the Federal Reserve’s next policy meeting is set for Jan. 27-28. 6
