Bitcoin climbs above $66k, hits over one-month high as ETF inflows recover

Bitcoin pared some gains on Tuesday but remained at an over one-month high, extending a recent rebound as inflows into exchange-traded funds pointed to some recovery in institutional demand.

But broader tensions over a worsening U.S.-Iran conflict limited overall gains in cryptocurrency markets, with the sector still nursing deep losses so far in 2026. 

Bitcoin rose 1.6% to $66,342.6 by 17:19 ET (21:19 GMT), its highest level since June 15. 

Bitcoin ETFs see two weeks of steady inflows 

Spot Bitcoin ETFs clocked two straight weeks of inflows, as steep price losses in the crypto attracted some bargain buying by institutional investors.  

Heightened volatility in market favorite artificial intelligence stocks also spurred some flows back into crypto, especially as high-flying chipmaking stocks clocked deep losses.

Bitcoin ETFs saw inflows of $75.7 million and $197.4 million for the past two weeks respectively, data from aggregator SoSoValue showed.

Iran tensions surge, but mediation hopes arise

The U.S. and Iran exchanged tit-for-tat strikes for a tenth consecutive day on Monday, with Washington seen increasing the scope of its attacks after the death of three service members over the w

Some hopes of mediation crept into markets this week after a report said regional mediators had submitted a new peace proposal to Iran. Separate comments from Iranian and U.S. officials– in that they expressed hope for an eventual return to peace negotiations– also spurred some optimism over de-escalation in the conflict.

But the war showed few signs of ceasing in the near-term, with the Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi group threatening to open up a new front by imposing a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia. 

Oil prices stayed near five-week highs on Tuesday. 

Crypto price today: altcoins track Bitcoin higher

Looking at broader crypto prices, altcoins mostly followed Bitcoin higher, although they were still nursing deep losses in recent weeks.

World no.2 crypto Ether rose 1.1% to $1,924.44, while XRP added 2.9%. 

Solana and BNB climbed 0.3% and 0.4%, respectively, while Cardano advanced 2.2%. 

Among memecoins, Dogecoin improved 1.9%, while $TRUMP was marginally higher by 0.1%. 

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Tehran was seen keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed, while Washington maintained its naval blockade against Iran while also continuing to launch air strikes at the country.