Bitcoin Nears $100K Amid Optimism Over U.S. Inflation and Trump’s Inauguration

Bitcoin extended its rally for the third consecutive session, hovering near the pivotal $100,000 mark, driven by optimism following softer U.S. inflation data. By 01:12 ET (06:12 GMT), Bitcoin rose 2.5% to $99,478.4, rebounding sharply this week after hitting a session high of $100,499.8 on Wednesday.

The cryptocurrency's surge aligns with expectations of favorable policies under President-elect Donald Trump. His inauguration on January 20 has fueled anticipation of a strategic national Bitcoin reserve and regulatory reforms. Notably, Paul Atkins, a crypto advocate, is expected to become the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chair, signaling a more crypto-friendly regulatory landscape. Republican-led revisions to SEC policies may begin as early as next week, according to Reuters.

Analysts remain bullish, forecasting strong Bitcoin growth in 2025. Broader market optimism has also boosted altcoins. Ether rose 4.4% to $3,337.25, while XRP climbed 7.2% to $3.0616. Solana, Polygon, and Cardano gained 7.1%, 4.7%, and 3.1%, respectively. Meme token Dogecoin also saw a 4.4% increase.

Wednesday’s U.S. consumer price index (CPI) report showed inflation largely aligned with expectations, while core CPI was softer than anticipated. This eased liquidity concerns and improved market sentiment, driving risk-on behavior in cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin’s sustained rally and the broader altcoin surge reflect growing confidence in digital assets amid evolving U.S. policies and economic conditions. As the market watches upcoming regulatory changes, investors are positioning for potential long-term gains.