Bitcoin hits new highs as investors bet big on US crypto rules

Last week, digital money investment funds pulled in nearly $860 million, their biggest weekly gain since April. Most of that cash went into Bitcoin. The surge follows weeks of rising confidence, partly because a new US bill called the CLARITY Act is making its way through Congress. This bill aims to create clearer rules for crypto, which investors have been hoping for since early last year. Bitcoin prices pushed above $80, 000 for a few days before settling around $81, 000 over the weekend. While Bitcoin led the inflows with $706 million, smaller cryptos like Ethereum, Solana, and XRP also saw fresh money. Even some bets against Bitcoin lost ground, with $14 million pulled from short-Bitcoin products. That suggests investors are feeling more upbeat and less interested in betting on a fall.Not everyone is fully convinced this rally will last long. Some analysts see the recent inflows as a temporary move, with investors snapping up cheap coins after last year’s big price drop. Bitcoin is still down nearly 50% from its peak in late 2025. Others argue the cash is coming from overheated stock markets or just traders trying to time the next move. There’s also growing pushback from banks. A group of major trade associations wrote to senators last Friday, warning that parts of the CLARITY Act could let crypto firms pay interest-like rewards on stablecoins. One senator called the letter respectful disagreement but said the committee would move forward anyway. If this bill fails, market confidence could take a hit. Energy and world events could also move the market fast. Rising oil prices from conflicts like the Iran war could push inflation higher and make borrowing more expensive. That would squeeze high-risk assets like crypto. Closer to home, next week’s inflation report could decide if the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates soon. If prices stay stubbornly high, crypto’s recent gains might fade quickly.