The virtual asset market showed a strong rebound, with bitcoin rising above the $81,000 level. The rally, initially confined to bitcoin, spread to major altcoins such as Ethereum, XRP, and Solana, signaling a revival of risk appetite in the market.

■ Bitcoin Recovers $81,000 in About Two Weeks

On the 19th, bitcoin recovered the $81,000 level in about two weeks, according to market data. Top market-cap virtual assets such as Ethereum, XRP, and Solana also rose in tandem, with some mid-cap altcoins posting double-digit gains.

■ $433 Million Net Inflow Into Spot ETFs in a Day... Weekly Net Inflow of $6.2 Million

A notable aspect of this rebound is the flow of funds into U.S. spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). On the 18th, approximately $433 million flowed into U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs in a single day. Of this, Fidelity's 'FBTC' accounted for about $310.7 million.

However, a single day of large inflows alone is not enough to conclude a trend of ETF money entering the market. The net inflow for the entire week amounted to only about $6.2 million, as the large inflow on the final trading day largely offset outflows from prior trading days.

■ Regulatory Uncertainty Persists... CLARITY Act Fails to Clear Procedural Vote

The market environment was also not uniformly favorable to virtual assets. On the 15th, the CLARITY Act, a bill to establish a regulatory framework for digital assets, failed to pass a procedural vote in the U.S. Senate. The vote was not a final passage or rejection of the bill, but a procedural step to move forward with deliberations.

Despite lingering regulatory uncertainty, bitcoin has again risen above $80,000, and markets are watching whether spot buying, ETF fund flows, and derivatives position adjustments are influencing price movements.

■ Binance's Bitcoin Holdings Reach 702,900 BTC... A Potential Supply Variable

There are also variables to consider in judging whether the rally will continue. On-chain data showed that Binance's bitcoin holdings increased to about 702,900 BTC on the 19th, marking a high level so far in 2026. Generally, an increase in bitcoin holdings on exchanges is used as one indicator of potential increases in market supply. However, a rise in exchange holdings alone does not mean that actual selling is underway.

■ Remaining Key Point to Watch: 'Spot Demand'

Ultimately, the key variable for the market after this rebound depends on how well spot demand holds up. It is necessary to watch whether ETF inflows continue, whether bitcoin held on exchanges translates into actual market supply, and whether the shift of funds from bitcoin to altcoins expands.

In particular, if major altcoins such as XRP, Ethereum, and Solana continue moving in tandem after bitcoin's recovery of the $80,000 level, the overall liquidity flow in the market is expected to become a key point to watch.

[Virtual assets are highly volatile, and market, ETF, and on-chain indicators can change rapidly. This article is not a recommendation to invest in any specific virtual asset, and the final decision on investment and the responsibility for it rest with the investor. AI provided partial assistance in the writing of this article.]