On Wednesday, August 19, 2026, Bitcoin price chart showed a sharp rise in the cryptocurrency’s value. It jumped by over 8% and briefly reached $69,700, marking its largest gain since March and its highest level since June 2.
The rally began following the US Treasury’s decision to double planned buybacks of long-term government bonds. This move drove Treasury yields lower, weighed on the dollar, and made riskier assets more appealing.
Macro tailwinds and White House backing
Another boost came from a White House summit with major crypto executives, where the Trump administration reaffirmed its backing for the CLARITY Act, designed to clarify whether digital assets fall under the oversight of the SEC or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. A procedural vote is expected in September, with the bill requiring 60 votes to advance.
Moreover, during the meeting, the U.S. President Donald Trump was asked whether the administration was planning to build sizable holdings of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. In response, Trump said the idea had been discussed, though he provided no firm confirmation.
Altcoins, crypto stocks, and inflows surge
The enthusiasm went well beyond Bitcoin. Ethereum gained 20% in a day, outperforming other altcoins, while XRP added 15%. Solana also rallied and several other altcoins rose by roughly 5-7%. However, the rally was not universal across the crypto heatmap, with some assets still hovering near their lows.
HYPE staged a rally of its own following a statement from Trump. The U.S. President said his administration was working to bring decentralized exchange Hyperliquid to the U.S. in full compliance. The currency jumped by over 25%, hovering near its record high. The move also helped drive gains in Hyperliquid Strategies, a major holder of HYPE tokens.
Crypto-related stocks also surged: Coinbase and Circle rose by 10%, while Bitcoin accumulator Strategy added 13%. Spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded more than $517 million in inflows on the same day, the largest daily inflow in more than three months.
On Thursday, August 20, 2026, the rally continued, pushing Bitcoin above $71,500. If the gains hold through the end of the month, August could mark Bitcoin’s first positive August since 2021. Despite earlier concerns that Bitcoin could fall as low as $20,000, its latest rally suggests there may still be room to climb.
Traders continue to watch Bitcoin’s price trajectory, along with the performance of other crypto market players. Meanwhile, Treasury yields, the US Dollar Index, and the upcoming CLARITY Act vote remain in focus.
This article was written in cooperation with Tradingview