Bitcoin breaks $96,000 as U.S. crypto regulation bill and softer inflation data lift prices
Bitcoin rose 3.6% to nearly $96,876 as ether and XRP also advanced ahead of a Senate Banking Committee debate on crypto regulation. U.S. senators introduced a draft bill that would clarify oversight of digital assets and restrict stablecoin interest payouts. December CPI data showed core inflation up 0.2% for the month. The Federal Reserve is expected to pause rate hikes at its next meeting.