Bitcoin Retakes $81,000 as a Short Squeeze Accelerates the Rebound

By Isaac • September 18, 2026 11:08 am •

Bitcoin is back above $81,000, and this time the move came with enough force to punish traders who were leaning the wrong way.

The world’s largest cryptocurrency gained roughly 6% during Friday’s session, climbing through $80,000 as U.S. markets opened and traders reacted to rapidly changing oil, bond and risk-market conditions. Cointelegraph reported about $250 million in short positions liquidated in just four hours, adding a powerful mechanical bid as bearish positions were closed.

That forced buying helped turn an ordinary rebound into a much faster squeeze.

Bitcoin briefly pushed beyond $81,000 after opening the day below that mark. The move also lifted Ether, XRP, Solana and other large-cap assets as risk appetite improved across the