Bitcoin Holds Above $106K; Ethereum Reclaims $3,600 as U.S. Shutdown Nears Its End

The crypto market is breathing a sigh of relief this week as both Bitcoin and Ethereum surge amid renewed optimism that the U.S. government shutdown may soon come to an end. Bitcoin remains steady above the $106,000 mark, while Ethereum has climbed past $3,600, reinforcing the narrative that digital assets continue to be viewed as resilient havens during periods of political and fiscal uncertainty.

Market Optimism Returns as Washington Nears a Deal

For weeks, traders have watched the standoff in Washington with growing concern. A prolonged government shutdown can have ripple effects across the economy — from delayed payments to federal workers to disruptions in consumer confidence and corporate activity. But as reports suggest a bipartisan deal is close, risk assets have bounced back across the board.

Bitcoin’s latest move reflects that shift in sentiment. Historically, crypto markets have reacted swiftly to changes in liquidity and investor confidence. The anticipation that government spending will resume — and that broader economic uncertainty could fade — has pushed traders back into risk-on mode.

“Markets are pricing in the end of fiscal paralysis,” said an analyst at The Economic Times. “Liquidity that was sitting on the sidelines is slowly re-entering both traditional and digital assets. Bitcoin is benefiting directly from that return of capital.”

Ethereum Follows Suit — and Leads in Network Activity

Ethereum’s recovery above $3,600 adds to the optimism. After weeks of sideways trading and declining on-chain activity, network usage and transaction volumes have begun to rise again. Analysts attribute this rebound to growing DeFi activity and the recent uptick in staking participation following the latest protocol updates.

“Ethereum’s fundamentals remain strong,” noted one on-chain researcher. “The rebound in active addresses and smart contract deployments suggests confidence is returning to the ecosystem. It’s not just price action — we’re seeing renewed use cases across DeFi and tokenized assets.”

With the broader market stabilizing, Ethereum may once again lead the altcoin rally if sentiment continues to improve. Traders are watching the $3,700 resistance closely, as a breakout above this level could signal the start of a medium-term bullish trend.

Liquidity and Risk Appetite Rebound in Tandem

The correlation between liquidity conditions and crypto performance is once again proving to be strong. As U.S. Treasury yields ease and stock markets stabilize, investors appear more willing to allocate to volatile assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

This week’s surge also underscores how quickly the narrative can shift in digital markets. Just days ago, fears of an extended shutdown and rising inflation had weighed heavily on sentiment. Now, with inflation data showing signs of moderation and political gridlock nearing resolution, traders are re-entering positions they had previously abandoned.

One factor adding momentum is the renewed institutional interest. Hedge funds and asset managers, who had significantly reduced crypto exposure in Q3, are reportedly scaling back into the market. This trend, coupled with steady ETF inflows, provides a base layer of demand that has supported the latest price recovery.

Technical Picture: Bitcoin’s $105K Support Holds Strong

From a technical standpoint, Bitcoin’s defense of the $105,000–$106,000 zone is crucial. This level has served as a major accumulation area since early October, and holding it strengthens the case for further upside.

If momentum persists, analysts predict Bitcoin could retest the $110,000–$112,000 range in the coming weeks. Ethereum, meanwhile, faces immediate resistance near $3,700 and then $3,850. A confirmed breakout above those thresholds could open the door to $4,000 — a level not seen in months.

Cautious Optimism Amid Macro Headwinds

Despite the upbeat tone, experts warn that the rally is not without risk. Any delay or collapse in U.S. negotiations could quickly unwind gains, particularly in a market still sensitive to liquidity shifts and policy uncertainty. Moreover, global headwinds — including slower growth in China and ongoing geopolitical tensions — remain potential sources of volatility.

Still, with improving liquidity conditions, easing inflation, and growing investor confidence, crypto markets appear positioned for a sustained recovery phase. For now, traders and investors alike are watching whether this renewed momentum can translate into a longer-term trend rather than a short-lived bounce.

Outlook: A Return to Stability — or the Calm Before the Next Storm?

If the U.S. government officially ends the shutdown in the coming days, the move could mark a turning point for global markets, not just crypto. Bitcoin and Ethereum’s resilience under pressure suggests that the asset class is maturing — able to withstand political turbulence that once would have caused far sharper declines.

Whether this is the beginning of a new bullish leg or simply a relief rally remains to be seen. But for now, with Bitcoin steady above six figures and Ethereum reclaiming key territory, the tone in crypto is shifting — from fear and uncertainty back to cautious optimism.