Bitcoin has declined only 1.5% in September after rising 25% in August to about $81,000, leaving it up roughly 32% for the quarter with less than two weeks remaining. That performance puts it on course for its first positive quarterly close since the third quarter of 2025. Bitcoin was trading at $78,000, roughly where it stood before Wednesday’s Federal Reserve rate hike, despite the 25-basis-point increase and the Senate’s failure to advance the CLARITY Act after it received 49 of the 60 votes required. Mitchell Askew, head of Blockware Intelligence at Blockware, said the muted reaction to adverse news indicates seller exhaustion and could represent a later stage of a bottoming process. Oil-market pressure also intensified as West Texas Intermediate crude rose above $106 a barrel on Tuesday, reaching a five-month high amid continuing Middle East tensions. The report also identifies APAC as a key proving ground for stablecoins (digital tokens designed to maintain stable value) as they enter regulated finance, including through rules, use cases and the role of $RLUSD.