Crypto Market Today, Sept. 3: Bitcoin Reclaims $81,000 on Fed Rate Pause Signals

Bitcoin rallied 5.5% to $81,491.82 on September 3, 2026, after Fed Governor Christopher Waller signaled support for holding interest rates steady. The move pushed Bitcoin back above the $81,000 level as expectations for a pause in Fed tightening fueled risk appetite across digital assets.

Ethereum and Solana each climbed more than 5% in the session. Total crypto market capitalization rose 4.7% to $2.82 trillion, reflecting broad-based gains across the sector.

IBIT, the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF, stands to benefit from renewed inflows as institutional investors rotate back into crypto exposure following the dovish Fed commentary. Waller's remarks mark a shift in central bank tone that has historically supported speculative assets, particularly those sensitive to liquidity conditions.

The rally underscores crypto's continued vulnerability to macroeconomic drivers. Interest rate expectations, inflation data, and geopolitical developments remain primary catalysts for price action in the space.