Bitcoin Rides Out Triple Threat of Rate Hikes and CLARITY Defeat to End Week Higher

Bitcoin ended the week higher despite absorbing three consecutive shocks: the Senate's rejection of the CLARITY Act, the Federal Reserve's first rate hike since 2023, and a Bank of Japan increase to a 31-year high of 1.25%. The cryptocurrency briefly dipped to $75,000 before recovering above $77,000 and touching $81,000 intraday. U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs returned to $159.5 million in net inflows on September 17, led by BlackRock's IBIT with $183.7 million, after two days of heavy outflows. Analysts attributed the resilience to traders having priced in the Fed move and treating the CLARITY defeat as a delay rather than a terminal setback. Regulatory progress continued through SEC and CFTC actions independent of Congress. Key support sits at $75,000, with $80,000 the next major resistance level.