Bitcoin Jumps to Record $79,400 as Sellers Who Bet Against It Are Forced Out

Bitcoin hit $79,400 on August 21, 2026 — up 8.8% in a day and 24% for the week, its best week since 2023, CoinDesk reported. Traders who bet the price would fall were forced to buy back in, pushing it higher. Something involving the U.S. Treasury sparked it, but specifics aren't yet known.