Bitcoin (BTC-USD) opened at $81,162.18 on Monday, September 21, 2026, nearly even with Sunday’s opening price. As of 10:07 a.m. ET this morning, the price of bitcoin surged to an 8-month high of $85,134.02.
Ethereum (ETH-USD) opened at $2,644.80 on Monday, September 21, 2026, up 0.5% from Sunday’s opening price. The price of ethereum moved even higher this morning to $2,713.90 as of 10:07 a.m. ET.
Bitcoin and ethereum prices are surging today despite the recent failure of the CLARITY Act. The prices of bitcoin and ethereum hit 8-month highs earlier today. Here’s why:
Just days earlier, on September 16, the Fed raised interest rates, a day after the Senate blocked the CLARITY Act, while Bitcoin was hovering around $76,000. So, what changed? The answer lies in three main factors that developed between September 18 and September 21: a drop in oil prices, a strong weekly close for Bitcoin, and a surge in short sellers.
Learn more: What’s happening with crypto today?
Current price of bitcoin and ethereum
Bitcoin
The price of bitcoin this morning, Monday, September 21, 2026, was flat compared to Sunday’s opening price. Here’s a look at how the opening bitcoin price has changed versus last week, month, and year:
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One week ago: +5.6%
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One month ago: +11.1%
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One year ago: -29.9%
The all-time high for bitcoin was $126,198.07 on Oct. 6, 2025. The all-time low value for bitcoin was $0.04865 on July 14, 2010.
Ethereum
The price of ethereum this morning, Monday, September 21, 2026, was 0.5% higher than Sunday’s open. Here’s a look at how the opening ethereum price has changed versus last week, month, and year:
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One week ago: +6.8%
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One month ago: +13.7%
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One year ago: -41%
The all-time high for ethereum was $4,953.73 on Aug. 24, 2025. The all-time low value for ethereum was $0.4209 on Oct. 21, 2015.
Bitcoin, ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies are rapidly evolving. Follow the latest developments from Yahoo Finance and others here.
How Bitcoin works
Bitcoin is a type of cryptocurrency, which is a currency that exists only in digital form and operates without government or banking oversight. By comparison, the U.S. dollar, the EU euro, the Canadian dollar, and other national currencies have paper versions and are issued by their respective governments.
Bitcoin relies on a public digital ledger that validates and records transactions and verifies bitcoin ownership. This ledger is called the blockchain, and it is globally distributed — that is, decentralized — across a broad, worldwide network of servers.
Decentralization is a fundamental aspect of cryptocurrencies. Decentralization facilitates peer-to-peer payments with no banking intermediary, enhanced security, and defense against manipulation attempts.
Learn more: What is Bitcoin, and how does it work?
How to buy Bitcoin in 2026
There are several ways to buy Bitcoin. You can go through a crypto exchange, a fintech app, or a traditional brokerage that will allow you to buy into a bitcoin ETF.
Before placing a trade, though, decide what you actually want: full ownership of your bitcoin and private keys — or easy price exposure inside a familiar, regulated system.
Whichever avenue you take, it’s important to remember that bitcoin remains a high-risk, highly volatile asset compared to many other investments. Prices can surge or drop quickly, sometimes without warning. If you’re considering buying bitcoin, assume volatility is part of the deal.
Learn more: Is bitcoin’s price volatility an investing opportunity? Here’s how to buy bitcoin.
Bitcoin and ethereum price charts
Whether you’re brand new to tracking the value of bitcoin and ethereum or a more seasoned crypto investor, Yahoo Finance’s price-of-bitcoin chart and price-of-ethereum chart below show a visual history of how the currencies’ value continues to move and evolve.
More on crypto from the Yahoo Finance team: