Bitcoin Holds Near $64,000 as Rising Yields and Oil Weigh on Risk Appetite
Bitcoin remained close to the $64,000 mark on Tuesday, showing relative resilience even as global markets faced renewed pressure from climbing bond yields, expensive crude oil and growing geopolitical uncertainty. The leading cryptocurrency traded near $64,100, gaining roughly 1% over 24 hours, according to CoinDesk data.
The move came while equity futures pointed lower and investors continued to sell longer-dated government bonds. The latest [bitcoin news](https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2026/08/18/live-updates-bitcoin-holds-usd64-000-as-surging-yields-and-oil-drain-risk-appetite) highlights the unusual contrast: Bitcoin was holding its ground while traditional risk assets weakened under the weight of rising financing costs and renewed inflation concerns.
The 30-year U.S. Treasury yield climbed by approximately 20 basis points to 5.32% and later reached 5.33%, its highest level since 2007. The move reflects increased investor demands for compensation as governments issue more debt and inflation remains difficult to contain. The sell-off was not limited to the United States. Britain's 30-year gilt yield advanced 23 basis points to 5.834%, while Japan's equivalent yield reached 4.126%, approaching its May peak.
Technology stocks also felt the pressure. The Invesco QQQ exchange-traded fund fell more than 1% in premarket trading, while S&P 500 futures declined 0.5%, putting the index on track for a third consecutive losing session. Higher long-term yields typically reduce the appeal of growth assets because future earnings become less valuable when discounted at elevated interest rates.
Oil added another layer of concern. Brent crude moved above $91 per barrel as tensions surrounding the U.S.-Iran conflict intensified. The combination of geopolitical risk and threats to regional stability has raised fears that energy prices could move even higher. If crude approaches $100, inflation expectations may strengthen further, potentially delaying interest-rate cuts and putting additional pressure on speculative assets.
This macroeconomic chain remains unfavorable for cryptocurrencies. More expensive oil can reinforce inflation, persistent inflation can push bond yields higher, and higher borrowing costs often lead investors to reduce exposure to volatile assets. Bitcoin continues to trade within the same broad risk environment as technology stocks and other growth-oriented investments, meaning that rising yields generally create a headwind.
Still, Bitcoin's performance is notable. It has remained positive on the day and is also slightly higher over the week, despite falling stocks and bond yields reaching levels not seen in nearly two decades. That relative strength may indicate that demand from exchange-traded funds and larger investors is helping absorb selling pressure.
The critical level is just above the current range. A move beyond $64,500 could suggest that buyers are gaining confidence and are willing to accumulate despite worsening macroeconomic conditions. Conversely, a further rise in yields or an oil rally toward $100 could quickly challenge the market's resilience. Traders following the [bitcoin price today](https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2026/08/18/live-updates-bitcoin-holds-usd64-000-as-surging-yields-and-oil-drain-risk-appetite) are therefore watching both the $64,000 support zone and the broader bond market.
Bitcoin's 200-week moving average has also moved above the same psychological threshold. This long-term indicator, calculated from the average weekly closing price over 200 weeks, stood at approximately $64,217. Because it has historically acted as a major support level during prolonged downturns, its current position is attracting considerable attention. With spot Bitcoin trading near the moving average, the market is once again testing a level that previously helped limit downside momentum.
Market sentiment has improved, although it has not yet entered a confident phase. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index rose to 41, its highest reading since mid-May, but remained in the "fear" category. The indicator ranges from zero to 100 and considers factors such as price momentum, volatility and trading volume. A reading below 50 still suggests caution, while a sustained move above that level would provide stronger evidence of a genuine shift in market psychology.
The improvement is encouraging, but it should not be confused with a confirmed trend reversal. Short-term rallies can lose momentum when investors remain defensive and macroeconomic conditions deteriorate. Until sentiment moves decisively out of fear, traders looking for a [bitcoin price prediction](https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2026/08/18/live-updates-bitcoin-holds-usd64-000-as-surging-yields-and-oil-drain-risk-appetite) should account for the possibility of another failed breakout.
Trading activity has also changed since the Chicago Mercantile Exchange introduced round-the-clock crypto access on May 29. More than $2 billion has reportedly changed hands during weekends since the launch. CME said both retail and institutional participants are using its regulated marketplace to manage cryptocurrency exposure continuously rather than waiting for traditional market hours to reopen.
Data from Velo shows that Bitcoin produced an aggregate weekday return of minus 0.5% over the past three months. Saturdays and Sundays, by contrast, generated positive performance, with the combined weekend return reaching 0.51%. The figures do not establish a reliable trading rule, but they demonstrate that activity and price formation outside conventional market hours are becoming more significant.
Ether traded near $1,893, while most large-cap digital assets remained broadly flat. Hyperliquid was the strongest major performer of the week, rising 8.3%. Investors tracking the [cryptocurrency market today](https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2026/08/18/live-updates-bitcoin-holds-usd64-000-as-surging-yields-and-oil-drain-risk-appetite) are balancing Bitcoin's relative strength against the broader lack of momentum across alternative cryptocurrencies.
Beyond price action, several technology and security developments are shaping the sector. Zcash's Tachyon upgrade is designed to improve the scalability of shielded transactions, strengthen resistance to future quantum threats and test whether the project's funding, security and governance systems can support a more ambitious technical roadmap.
Security remains a major concern across the industry. A coding flaw in Coldcard's software reportedly went undetected for years and was eventually associated with hacked funds worth roughly $100 million. The incident underscores the risks created by small implementation errors in systems designed to protect private keys and digital assets.
Ethereum's next major upgrade includes 66 proposals, among them a significant privacy-related improvement. If adopted and implemented successfully, the changes could affect how applications handle transactions and user data while addressing some of the network's long-standing scalability and usability challenges.
Meanwhile, Payward, the parent company of Kraken, has joined Anthropic's Project Glasswing, an initiative focused on improving artificial intelligence security. The partnership reflects the growing overlap between crypto infrastructure and AI-related risk management, particularly as exchanges and custodians increasingly rely on automated systems.
For now, Bitcoin's ability to remain above $64,000 is the central market signal. The asset is resisting pressure from surging yields, costly energy and weaker equities, but its next move will depend heavily on whether buyers can push it through $64,500 or whether another deterioration in global risk appetite forces a retreat.