Bitcoin Holds Above $80K as ETF Inflows Surge and Golden Cross Looms

Bitcoin’s price steadied above the psychologically important $80,000 level as institutional demand returned and technical signals improved. The asset held near $80,500 on May 15 after touching $81,800 earlier in the session.

Senate progress on the CLARITY Act has bolstered expectations for clearer crypto regulation. Market participants view the bill as a step toward reducing compliance uncertainty, which could encourage larger allocations to digital assets.

U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs such as iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) and Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) recorded $131 million of net buying on Thursday. This inflow reversed a $635 million net outflow recorded the prior day, indicating a rapid shift in investor sentiment. ETFs allow investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin’s price movements without directly holding the cryptocurrency.

On the daily chart, the 50‑day simple moving average— the average closing price over the past fifty days— is rising toward the 200‑day simple moving average. When the shorter average crosses above the longer one, traders call it a golden cross, a pattern that has historically preceded extended upward moves in Bitcoin cycles.

At roughly $80,500, Bitcoin’s market capitalization stands near $1.56 trillion. That level is about 32% above the February low of $61,000 and roughly 20% higher than the April trough. For comparison, the S&P 500 index remained flat over the same period, while gold traded around $2,300 per ounce.

Analysts note that a sustained move above the $85,000‑$88,000 resistance zone could trigger a 13%‑24% advance toward the $100,000 psychological level. On the downside, a break below $80,000 would expose Bitcoin to a potential decline toward the $75,500‑$76,000 range, representing roughly 6% downside from current prices.

Meanwhile, WTI crude oil futures climbed above $104 a barrel, reviving inflation concerns and weighing on broader risk appetite. Asian equity benchmarks such as Japan’s Nikkei 225 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index slipped under that pressure, while Bitcoin held its higher‑low structure. The divergence suggests some investors are rotating capital from traditional safe havens into the cryptocurrency.

Watch for the next ETF flow reports, any further progress on the CLARITY Act, and whether Bitcoin can sustain a breakout above $88,000 to test the $100,000 target.