Bitcoin falls to $81,000 on US inflation fears

October 15, 2026 (MLN): Bitcoin declined on Thursday as hotter US inflation data heightened concerns over another Federal Reserve interest rate hike, while heavy liquidations and weakening institutional demand added to selling pressure.

Currently, Bitcoin is down 0.99% to $81,015, according to data reported by Mettis Global.

The decline followed the latest US inflation figures, which strengthened expectations of tighter monetary policy and weighed on investor appetite for riskier assets.

Selling pressure was compounded by the liquidation of $63.17 million in long positions over the past 24 hours. Bitcoin also fell below the $82,000–$83,000 support zone, while institutional demand weakened as Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded negative flows from late September.

Despite the recent pullback, market analysis suggests Bitcoin could recover towards $93,000 if buying momentum returns. A sustained rebound could first take the cryptocurrency towards $88,000 before a potential further advance, although these levels remain conditional targets rather than confirmed price movements, according to TradingView.

Historical performance has also drawn attention, with similarities noted between Bitcoin's current market pattern and its performance in 2023, when the cryptocurrency rallied approximately 40% following a bullish crossover of its 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages.

Meanwhile, the Bitcoin Exchange Whale Ratio has declined steadily over the past week. This may indicate that large holders are moving their Bitcoin from exchanges into longer-term storage, potentially showing a preference to hold rather than sell.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on October 14 that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.6% month-on-month in September, accelerating from 0.4% in August. Annual headline inflation increased to 3.7% from 3.4%, while core CPI, excluding food and energy, rose 0.3% during the month and 2.6% year-on-year.

Energy prices contributed significantly to the increase, with the energy index climbing 5.2% in September and gasoline prices surging 9.1%. The latest inflation figures have intensified concerns about the Federal Reserve's policy outlook, leaving Bitcoin exposed to further volatility despite the possibility of a recovery.

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