Bitcoin briefly fell below $80,000 on Thursday after fresh U.S. inflation data came in hotter than expected, though the cryptocurrency later recovered part of its decline. The move added to concerns that the Federal Reserve could keep interest rates elevated for longer.
Bitcoin recovers after intraday drop
Bitcoin reached a low of $79,805 on Thursday morning in New York before recovering. It was recently trading at $81,028, down by more than 1% over 24 hours at the time of the report. Over the previous week, the cryptocurrency had lost nearly 3% of its value.
The decline came as markets absorbed new data on producer prices, an inflation measure tracking the prices received by U.S. producers for goods and services. According to Bitcoin Magazine, the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that producer prices rose in September at their fastest pace in more than four years.
That report followed the release of September’s Consumer Price Index one day earlier. The CPI also exceeded expectations, reinforcing the view that price pressures in the U.S. economy may be proving persistent.
Inflation puts focus on the Federal Reserve
The latest figures have influenced expectations for the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate path. When inflation remains high, traders may anticipate that the central bank will be less willing to reduce borrowing costs quickly, or may keep rates higher for an extended period.
The Federal Reserve is scheduled to make its next interest-rate decision at the end of October. The source material says the central bank’s chair has described bringing U.S. inflation down as the Fed’s top priority, while the central bank has raised interest rates this year.
Bitcoin has historically benefited from periods of lower interest rates. Lower borrowing costs can increase the amount of liquidity available for purchases of assets such as cryptocurrencies. Conversely, expectations of tighter financial conditions can weigh on demand for risk-sensitive assets, including Bitcoin.
Bitcoin remains below its record high
Despite the latest pullback, analysts cited in the source material have said Bitcoin is no longer in the bear market that dominated most of 2026. The cryptocurrency rallied during August and September before the recent weakness.
Bitcoin nevertheless remains well below its previous record. The source puts that high at $126,080, reached last October, leaving the cryptocurrency nearly 36% below the peak.
Moneyiar market picture
Moneyiar data at 21:44 Tehran time on October 15, 2026, showed Bitcoin at $82,204.64, up 0.57% over 24 hours and 0.71% over seven days. Other listed assets were mixed: Aethir was $0.005955, down 0.47% in 24 hours and 6.2% over seven days; Light was $0.167290, up 1.73% over 24 hours but down 9.4% over seven days; and Data Network was $0.190567, down 3.81% and 2.79% over those periods, respectively.
