Bitcoin climbs above $66,000 as CLARITY Act moves in Senate

Bitcoin surged past $66,000 on Thursday, hitting $66,300—a roughly 3% jump in a single day—while trading volume remained thin, underscoring a low‑liquidity rally that could be fragile [2].

ETF flows and legislative backdrop

U.S. Bitcoin ETFs recorded a net inflow of $75.7 million last week, marking the second consecutive week of positive movement after eight weeks of outflows that totalled $8.2 billion [2]. Although the recent $273.1 million two‑week inflow recovers only about 3.3 % of those outflows, the shift suggests a tentative re‑entry of institutional capital. At the same time, the CLARITY Act—legislation aimed at giving large institutions clearer legal footing for crypto investments—has advanced in the Senate, raising optimism that regulatory certainty could further boost demand, even though the bill still faces procedural delays [2].

On‑chain and market context

On‑chain data show whales accumulating roughly 270,000 BTC over the past two weeks, a pattern historically linked to longer‑term buying pressure [1]. Open interest in Bitcoin futures has fallen to about $46.5 billion, indicating that leveraged short positions have largely been squeezed out, which could limit downside risk in the near term [1]. Despite these supportive signals, the price remains vulnerable; the 50‑day and 200‑week moving averages sit near $66,000 and $59,000 respectively, and a breach below $65,900 could reopen a slide toward $60,000–$59,000 support zones [2].

Market sentiment ahead of the Fed

The July 29 Federal Reserve meeting looms as the next macro catalyst. Traders are watching whether the Fed signals a rate cut or maintains a hawkish stance, as any shift could swing money between risk assets like Bitcoin and safe‑haven yields. In the interim, the price is expected to oscillate between $63,000 and $67,000, with the $67,500‑$68,000 band acting as the next resistance hurdle for a sustained rally [2].

What to watch

• $67,500‑$68,000 resistance – a clear break could open a path toward $71,500.
• CLARITY Act progress – Senate votes or amendments could trigger fresh institutional inflows.
• Fed outcome on July 29 – any indication of future rate cuts or hikes will likely dictate Bitcoin’s direction.

The rally above $66,000 highlights how quickly Bitcoin can rebound on modest ETF inflows and regulatory optimism, yet the thin trading volume means the move could reverse sharply if either the Fed adopts a hawkish tone or the CLARITY Act stalls.