Bitcoin recovered above $80,000 after sliding from the low-$80,000 range to approximately $75,000 during a volatile stretch shaped by monetary policy, regulatory uncertainty and weaker crypto-market capital flows. The decline accelerated on Sept. 15 after the US Senate failed to advance the Clarity Act, which requires 60 votes to clear a procedural threshold and establish a broader federal framework for digital assets. Bitcoin’s legal position was less directly affected than that of many other cryptocurrencies because it already operates under a more established US regulatory framework. The Federal Reserve then raised its benchmark interest-rate target by 25 basis points on Sept. 16 to 3.75%-4%, its first increase since July 2023. Although the move was widely anticipated, projections suggested another possible increase in 2026 and rates remaining elevated for longer, conditions that can reduce the appeal of speculative assets. Bitcoin later gained more than 5% on Sept. 18, briefly reaching approximately $80,700-$80,900, as US-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded roughly $160 million in net inflows after outflows in the previous two sessions. Glassnode had earlier pointed to negative Bitcoin ETF flows, slower new-capital growth and weaker stablecoin (crypto tokens designed to maintain stable values) expansion. The recovery has not removed the broader uncertainty: the SEC and CFTC continue separate digital-asset initiatives, while the Clarity Act remains stalled. The next phase for Bitcoin is likely to depend on institutional flows, monetary policy and overall risk appetite, with the move from below $75,000 to above $80,000 underscoring current market volatility.