Bitcoin back at $81K after CFTC and SEC exemptions

Bitcoin rises to $81.600 after US regulators CFTC and SEC announce innovation exemptions that spark a broad DeFi rally. At the same time, the Bank of Japan raises interest rates to the highest level in 31 years, while Iran submits seven ceasefire conditions via Qatar. The combination of regulatory easing in crypto and geopolitical tensions shapes market sentiment on Monday.

In brief:

• The CFTC and SEC announce innovation exemptions, Bitcoin climbs to $81K and Bitcoin ETFs record $433 million in daily inflows.
• The Bank of Japan raises interest rates by 25 basis points to 1.25%, the highest level in 31 years.
• Iran submits seven ceasefire conditions via Qatar, the oil price falls 1.08% to $98.85 per barrel.

CFTC and SEC exemptions drive DeFi and Bitcoin

The innovation exemptions from the CFTC and SEC remove barriers for developers and bring about a broad recovery in DeFi. Bitcoin trades at $81.640, a daily gain of 1.5%. Ethereum rises to $2.650. The premium on CME Bitcoin futures climbs to 0.12%.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs record $433 million in net inflows in a single day, which points to renewed institutional confidence after the regulatory clarity. Earlier this month, insiders already wrote about capital flows towards crypto that could support the market.

Bank of Japan raises interest rate to 31-year high

The Bank of Japan raises its policy rate by 25 basis points to 1.25%, the highest level since 1995. Governor Ueda leaves the door open to further increases and cites the situation in the Middle East, demand for AI capacity and the Japanese yen as determining factors.

The rate hike, combined with persistent geopolitical uncertainty, pushes the yield on ten-year US Treasuries towards 5%. That puts pressure on the valuation of riskier investments, including equities.

Geopolitics and AI as additional market factors

In the Middle East, the Houthis carry out attacks on Saudi targets, but Iran submits seven ceasefire conditions through Qatari mediators. President Trump describes the moment as a decision phase. The oil price reacts and falls 1.08% to $98.85 per barrel.

Meanwhile, US and Chinese officials meet in New York to talk about AI, tariffs and critical raw materials, ahead of a summit on 24 September between Trump and Xi. OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman is scheduled next week for a briefing at the UN Security Council on AI safety.

In the technology sector, analysts increasingly see AI safety rules as a boost to demand for computing capacity rather than a brake on innovation. That acts as a tailwind for chip companies. The Ethereum price is meanwhile hovering around a key zone that could determine the further direction of the price.