Bitcoin Holds Above $81K as ETF Inflows Return

Key Takeaways

• Bitcoin traded above $81,000 on September 21 after a rebound in spot Bitcoin ETF inflows.
• U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $433 million in net inflows on September 18, their strongest daily total since September 3.
• Fidelity’s FBTC led the ETF inflows with $310.7 million, while BlackRock’s IBIT added $108.4 million.

Bitcoin climbed above $81,000 on Monday, extending its recovery from last week’s selloff after U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded strong inflows on Friday.

As of September 21, 2026, BTC traded just above $81,000 during Asian morning hours, up less than 1% over 24 hours, CoinDesk reported. The move extended Bitcoin’s rebound from around $76,200 last week, when markets were hit by the Senate’s failure to advance the Clarity Act and the Federal Reserve’s first interest-rate hike in over three years.

U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted $433 million in net inflows on September 18, according to Farside data. This was the largest Bitcoin ETF daily inflow since September 3 and was enough to push weekly flows back into positive territory.

Fidelity Leads Bitcoin ETF Inflows  

Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund, or FBTC, led the September 18 inflows with $310.7 million. BlackRock’s IBIT received another $108.4 million, while Bitwise’s BITB added $9.7 million, and VanEck’s HODL and Ark & 21Shares’ ARKB recorded smaller inflows.

Friday’s inflows helped offset heavy withdrawals earlier in the week. Bitcoin ETFs lost around $450.4 million on September 15, and another $295.9 million on September 16 before flows turned positive on Thursday and accelerated into Friday, according to Farside data.

On September 18, ETF demand extended into other digital assets. Ether ETFs recorded $143.7 million in net inflows, and Solana funds attracted $47.6 million, showing that inflows extended beyond Bitcoin.

Bitcoin Extends Recovery Above $81,000

Bitcoin’s latest advance has also coincided with improving broader risk sentiment.

After encouraging U.S.-China trade discussions, Asian equities and U.S. stock futures moved higher Monday. Brent crude fell about 2% to just above $101 per barrel, easing some inflation concerns, Reuters reported.

Regulatory developments have also contributed to improved sentiment around Bitcoin. The SEC announced a five-year conditional exemption on September 17 for qualifying platforms offering tokenized stock trading.

Bitcoin's reclaim of $81,000 after last week’s regulatory and monetary-policy shocks now puts ETF demand back in focus.

For traders, the next question is whether institutional inflows can remain positive enough to support the recovery as the market continues to weigh high Treasury yields, inflation risks, and the possibility of further Federal Reserve tightening. 

Get started on WEEX with a simple 40 USDT reward. Deposit 100 USDT, make your trade, and claim the bonus. 

Disclaimer: All content on The Moon Show is for informational and educational purposes only. The opinions expressed do not constitute financial advice or recommendations to buy, sell, or trade cryptocurrencies. Trading involves significant risk and may result in substantial losses. Always seek independent financial advice before making investment decisions. The Moon Show is not responsible for any financial losses or decisions made based on the information provided.

Please view the full disclaimer at: https://themoonshow.com/disclaimer