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Why Is Bitcoin Up Today?

The Motley Fool·09/21/2026 17:51:31
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Key Points

  • Oil prices and Treasury Yields retreated on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.

  • Bitcoin is generally responsive to bond yields, moving in the opposite direction.

  • Bitcoin reached its highest level since January of this year.

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) is up 5.6% in the last 24 hours as of 1:25 p.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, reaching highs not seen since the start of the year. Falling oil prices and Treasury yields were driving investors back toward riskier assets.

The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite were up 1.5% and 2.1%, respectively.

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Macro forces are at work

Oil prices and U.S. Treasury yields surged for much of last week. The international benchmark Brent Crude topped $109 a barrel, a level not seen in months. At the same time, long-dated Treasuries rose as the elevated oil prices kept traders wary of inflation -- the 10-year yield hit 5.04%.

But on Monday, oil prices and Treasury yields have retreated. Signs of the potential for a de-escalation of hostilities in Iran helped Brent fall below $100. Treasuries have followed suit, with the 10-year reaching 4.96% today.

The inside of a Bitcoin mining operation.

Image source: Getty Images.

Bitcoin is generally considered a "risk-on" asset. That means it tends to do well when bond yields are falling, while it tends to sink when bond yields move higher.

Bitcoin climbed above $85,000 for the first time in eight months.

Bitcoin is a solid pick

Today's rally is a good reminder that Bitcoin doesn't trade in a vacuum -- Oil prices, inflation expectations, and Treasury yields heavily influence its price movements, especially from day to day.

But the more important question is whether Bitcoin deserves a place in your portfolio for the next five or 10 years. I think it does.

Johnny Rice has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.