Bitcoin and ethereum prices today, Friday, August 21, 2026: Cryptos continue rally sparked by Treasury repurchase announcement

Bitcoin and Ethereum prices witnessed a rally on Friday, August 21, 2026, driven by the U.S. Treasury's announcement of purchasing long-term debt and President Trump's call for crypto legislation. Bitcoin opened at $73,013, up 5.4% from Thursday's opening, reaching $77,307.95 by 9:08 a.m. ET. Ethereum started at $2,326.60, a 3.3% increase from Thursday, closing at $2,390.81.

The Treasury's repurchase of debt injects liquidity into financial markets and reduces long-term bond yields, freeing up investor cash and encouraging risk-taking – a trend that benefits cryptocurrencies and volatile assets. The all-time high for Bitcoin was $126,198.07, reached on October 6, 2025, while its low point was $0.04865, observed on July 14, 2010.

Ethereum's all-time high was $4,953.73, achieved on August 24, 2025, with its lowest price at $0.4209 on October 21, 2015. President Trump aims to establish the U.S. as the crypto capital of the world, prompting the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to allow cryptocurrency to be counted as an asset for mortgages. This move could significantly alter how crypto is utilized for mortgage qualification.