Bitcoin Climbs Above $81,000 as Rate-Hike Fears Ease

Bitcoin traded above $81,000, extending gains as fears of further interest rate increases cooled and hopes grew for more favorable crypto regulation. The move reflects a shift in sentiment among crypto traders who had been bracing for tighter monetary policy to weigh on risk assets. The rally comes alongside other crypto-related developments, including the IMF's confirmation that El Salvador's bitcoin holdings since June 2025 were funded entirely by private donations, not public money — a detail that removes one point of criticism from skeptics of the country's bitcoin strategy. Separately, South Korea outlined a roadmap targeting February 2027 for a full tokenized securities market, another sign regulators globally are moving toward clearer digital-asset frameworks rather than blanket restrictions. What remains unresolved is whether the rate-hike fears currently easing will resurface with upcoming economic data, and whether the regulatory optimism translates into concrete policy action rather than just anticipation.