Bitcoin tops $81,000, Ethereum clears $2,500, lifting crypto-linked U.S. stocks

CoinDesk reports that a rally in major cryptocurrencies fueled a sharp move higher in U.S.-listed crypto-related equities. Bitcoin climbed back above $81,000 and Ethereum broke through $2,500, pushing companies tied to the two tokens into the market spotlight. Strategy and Bitmine Immersion Technologies led the gains. Strategy jumped 17.56% on the day to close at $144.82, with sentiment improving after the company resumed bitcoin purchases. It recently ended a 10-week pause by buying 4,603 bitcoins for about $370 million, reinforcing its status as a "Bitcoin treasury" company. B. Riley Securities lifted its price target on Strategy to $175, citing the long-term value it sees in the firm's bitcoin-focused treasury approach. Strategy also announced a partnership with Google Cloud to host executive forums across seven U.S. cities centered on enterprise AI and secure database tools. The initiative adds an enterprise software angle to the company's story, broadening its appeal beyond cryptocurrency holdings for some investors. Bitmine Immersion Technologies (BMNR) rose more than 15%, supported by Ethereum's rebound and the company's sizeable ETH holdings. The firm said it purchased 53,501 ETH last week for roughly $131.3 million, its largest acquisition since June. Ethereum gained 5.5% on the day to $2,528, sharpening investor interest in public companies with ETH as a core holding. CoinDesk also noted that Bitmine's $4 billion share buyback program provided additional support for the stock's move.