Bitcoin surged 2.7% in three hours early Monday, breaking above $80,000 for the first time since January 31. The rally began at 1:25 am UTC, climbing from $78,415 to $80,000 in about 75 minutes, and reached $80,515 by 4:20 am UTC.
The move coincided with a 2.3% jump in the MSCI AC Asia Index to 245.2, surpassing its previous high set before the US-Iran conflict. The broad-based rally suggests improving global risk sentiment.
Driving the price spike: growing crypto momentum in Washington. Financial and crypto industry leaders reached a consensus on stablecoin yield rules under the CLARITY Act, with a Senate markup expected this month.
Institutional demand remains strong. US spot Bitcoin ETFs saw net inflows on 11 of the last 14 trading days, including $629.8 million on Friday - the best day in two weeks.
Bitcoin has recovered nearly 30% from its 2026 low of $62,000 on Feb. 5. Some analysts see a path to $100,000.