Bitcoin Holds Above $81K Despite Hot U.S. Inflation Data. Source: Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Bitcoin (BTC) remained resilient after stronger-than-expected U.S. inflation data triggered volatility across global financial markets. The world’s largest cryptocurrency briefly dropped below $80,000 before rebounding sharply, signaling continued investor confidence despite rising macroeconomic pressure.
BTC fell to $79,879 late Tuesday after the April Consumer Price Index (CPI) came in at 3.8% year-over-year, exceeding market forecasts. Higher gasoline prices linked to the ongoing Iran conflict were a major contributor to the inflation surge. However, Bitcoin quickly recovered and traded near $81,208 during Wednesday’s Asian session, ending the day slightly higher after moving within a $1,400 trading range.
Major cryptocurrencies showed mixed performance. BNB gained 2.5% to $677, while Dogecoin rose 1.3% to $0.1114. Ethereum slipped 0.3% to $2,300 and remains one of the weakest large-cap crypto assets this week. Solana declined 0.6% to $95.52, while XRP traded lower at $1.45.
Traditional financial markets reacted more negatively to the inflation report. The S&P 500 lost 0.2%, and the Nasdaq 100 dropped 0.9%, led by declines in semiconductor stocks. Treasury yields also stayed elevated, with Japan’s 20-year government bond yield reaching its highest level since 1997 amid persistent global inflation concerns.
Despite macro uncertainty, crypto investment flows remain strong. CoinShares reported $858 million in global crypto fund inflows last week, with Bitcoin investment products attracting $706 million. Ethereum products recorded $77 million in inflows, followed by Solana at $48 million and XRP at $40 million.
Analysts also highlighted a major decline in bearish Bitcoin positioning, as short Bitcoin products saw $14 million in outflows, marking the largest weekly unwind of 2026. Market watchers believe this suggests institutional investors are still accumulating BTC rather than preparing for a deeper correction.
Bitcoin’s ability to hold above the key $81,000 level despite high inflation and rising bond yields is being viewed as a positive signal for the broader cryptocurrency market heading into upcoming U.S. regulatory developments.