Why Bitcoin hit $80k today hours before bad US data even landed

Bitcoin’s rebound above $80,000 on Sept. 18 extended a technology-led relief rally. The move coincided with yen weakness and followed a return to Bitcoin ETF inflows the previous day. The advance was already underway in European trading, hours before weak US economic figures offered a possible argument against further monetary tightening.At press time, Bitcoin traded at $80,856, up 5.60% over 24 hours. The clearest explanation is a broader relief rally with an improving, but still tentative, demand signal. The timing points to a recovery in risk appetite, although it does not identify one decisive trigger.Dow Jones reported Bitcoin at $78,309, up 2.3%, in early European trading, linking the rebound to Thursday’s technology-led recovery. The 10:54 a.m. BST dispatch described prices earlier that morning.The equity backdrop was already firmer. Reuters reported Nasdaq 100 E-mini futures up 0.56% at 9:50 a.m. BST as lower oil prices eased inflation concerns. That supports the interpretation of Bitcoin participating in renewed appetite for risk, rather than reacting solely to an afternoon US announcement.By the opening minutes of US stock trading, Bitcoin was above $79,000 with a gain of...