New York, Jan 14, 2026, 17:24 EST — After-hours
- Bitcoin rose in late U.S. trade, extending gains after a closely watched U.S. inflation report.
- Fresh demand for spot bitcoin ETFs added support, alongside a lift in crypto-linked shares.
- Traders are watching U.S. policy steps on crypto market rules later this month.
Bitcoin rose on Wednesday, hovering near $97,500 in late U.S. trade as the cryptocurrency extended a post-data rally. The token was up 2.1% at $97,461, after ranging between $94,594 and $97,758.
The latest push higher followed data showing U.S. consumer prices rose 0.3% in December and 2.7% from a year earlier, with shelter and food driving the increase. Core CPI — which strips out food and energy — rose 0.2% on the month.
Demand for U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs, exchange-traded funds that hold the token, also firmed. The group drew $753.8 million of net inflows on Tuesday, led by Fidelity’s FBTC with $351.4 million, according to Farside Investors data.
Crypto-linked U.S. shares tracked the move. Coinbase Global was up 1.3% in after-hours trade, while Strategy added 3.7%; bitcoin miner Riot Platforms rose 3.3% and Marathon Digital gained 1.5%. The iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF gained 3.5%; ether rose 1.2% while XRP slipped 0.9%.
Some traders pointed to the move through $95,000, a level watched by chartists. Joel Kruger, market strategist at LMAX Group, called that zone “technical and psychological” and said regulatory developments were “helping support sentiment.” “This momentum continues in the coming days,” wrote Sean Farrell, Fundstrat’s head of digital asset strategy. Investopedia
In Washington, U.S. senators unveiled draft legislation late Monday that would set a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, including spelling out when tokens are securities or commodities and giving the Commodity Futures Trading Commission oversight of spot crypto markets. The Senate Banking Committee is scheduled to debate the bill and consider amendments on Thursday, Reuters reported.
Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin called the December inflation data “encouraging” but warned inflation often spikes at the start of the year. The Fed cut rates by 75 basis points last year and has time to decide its next move, Barkin said. Reuters
Bitcoin often swings with shifts in rate expectations, since lower yields can make non-interest-bearing assets look less costly to hold. The trade can turn fast when the dollar firms or when leveraged positions unwind.
But the rally has left little room for fresh surprises: another jump in inflation or a sharp drop in risk assets could cool demand, and ETF flows can reverse quickly when traders de-risk.
Traders now look to the next signals from Washington and the daily ETF flow tape, which has become a gauge of institutional demand. The Senate Agriculture Committee said it plans to release legislative text by Jan. 21 and hold a markup — a session where lawmakers debate and vote on changes — on Jan. 27.
