Bitcoin rises above US$80,000 as soft US dollar, debasement fears boost momentum

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's efforts to calm the bond market have given a boost to the cryptocurrency sector, with Bitcoin surging above $80,000 and reaching a three-month high on Tuesday, August 25th. The softening US dollar, following Bessent's actions, has reignited momentum in the crypto market. President Donald Trump had previously urged Congress to pass legislation that would bring clarity to the cryptocurrency sector.

Since then, Bitcoin has risen by 16% and is currently trading at $80,323.24, having previously peaked at $81,237.94, marking its highest level since mid-May. Over the past month, Bitcoin has gained 28%, setting the stage for its largest monthly increase since November 2024. The increase in Bitcoin's value has been fueled by the US Treasury's plans to repurchase long-dated bonds, which has weakened the US dollar and heightened investor concerns.

Senior researcher Tim Sun from HashKey Group believes Bessent's messaging has reinforced the market's belief that US policymakers may be less tolerant of long-end yield increases through the midterm elections. This favorable macro backdrop could be advantageous for assets like Bitcoin and gold. Gold has also seen a rise, reaching a three-month high.

Geoff Kendrick, Global Head of Digital Assets Research at Standard Chartered, stated that the Treasury's announcement is exactly what Bitcoin thrives on. The action has led to increased discussions about the "debasement trade," where efforts to prevent long-end yields from reaching market-clearing levels through buybacks shift the pressure to the currency market.

Analyst Tony Sycamore from IG noted that the Treasury announcement prompted buyers to flock to both physical and digital assets, with fears of debasement resurfacing. A sustained break above the current level could potentially open the door for Bitcoin to reach the $95,000 to $100,000 range.