Bitcoin and ethereum prices today, Monday, October 12, 2026: How bond yields 'threaten' crypto prices
Bitcoin (BTC-USD) opened at $83,673.01 on Monday, October 12, 2026, up 0.9% from Sunday's opening price. As of 7:25 a.m. ET this morning, bitcoin dipped to $83,280.11. Ethereum (ETH-USD) opened at $2,534.30 on Monday, October 12, 2026, up 1.2% from Sunday's opening price. The price of ethereum moved slightly higher this morning to $2,543.06 as of 7:25 a.m. ET. Bitcoin and ethereum prices have regained some ground from lower opening prices on Friday, and are generally back in line with where prices opened last Thursday. The same forces that drove crypto prices lower toward the end of last week are still firmly in play this week, including the ever-growing AI bubble, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and Treasury yields hitting historic highs. Here's more on how bond yields "threaten" crypto prices: US Treasury bonds offer investors regular interest payments backed by the government. When their yields rise, investors can earn higher returns without taking the same risks associated with cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin pays no fixed interest. As a result, higher Treasury yields can encourage investors to move capital into government bonds or hold cash. Bitunix argues that this shift in investor preferences is creating additional pressure on Bitcoin and other speculative assets. The risk extends beyond crypto. Higher yields also increase borrowing costs and can reduce the appeal of technology stocks. Bitunix reported weekly declines in crypto-linked equities, including Strategy and Circle. Keep reading: Bitcoin's Next Move Depends on the US Bond Market and Inflation Report Current price of bitcoin and ethereum Bitcoin Bitcoin's price this morning, Monday, October 12, 2026, was up 0.9% from Sunday's opening price. Here's a look at how the opening bitcoin price has changed versus last week, month, and year: One week ago: -3.2% One month ago: +8.4% One year ago: -24.5% The all-time high for bitcoin was $126,198.07 on Oct. 6, 2025. The all-time low value for bitcoin was $0.04865 on July 14, 2010. Ethereum The price of ethereum this morning, Monday, October 12, 2026, was 1.2% higher than Sunday's open. Here's a look at how the opening ethereum price has changed versus last week, month, and year: One week ago: -7.1% One month ago: +0.8% One year ago: -32.4% The all-time high for ethereum was $4,953.73 on Aug. 24, 2025. The all-time low value for ethereum was $0.4209 on Oct. 21, 2015. Bitcoin, ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies are rapidly evolving. Follow the latest developments from Yahoo Finance and others here. How Bitcoin works Bitcoin is a type of cryptocurrency, which is a currency that exists only in digital form and operates without government or banking oversight. By comparison, the U.S. dollar, the EU euro, the Canadian dollar, and other national currencies have paper versions and are issued by their respective governments. Bitcoin relies on a public digital ledger that validates and records transactions and verifies bitcoin ownership. This ledger is called the blockchain, and it is globally distributed — that is, decentralized — across a broad, worldwide network of servers. Decentralization is a fundamental aspect of cryptocurrencies. Decentralization facilitates peer-to-peer payments with no banking intermediary, enhanced security, and defense against manipulation attempts. Learn more: What is Bitcoin, and how does it work? How to buy Bitcoin in 2026 There are several ways to buy Bitcoin. You can go through a crypto exchange, a fintech app, or a traditional brokerage that will allow you to buy into a bitcoin ETF. Before placing a trade, though, decide what you actually want: full ownership of your bitcoin and private keys — or easy price exposure inside a familiar, regulated system. Whichever avenue you take, it's important to remember that bitcoin remains a high-risk, highly volatile asset compared to many other investments. Prices can surge or drop quickly, sometimes without warning. If you're considering buying bitcoin, assume volatility is part of the deal. Learn more: Is bitcoin's price volatility an investing opportunity? Here's how to buy bitcoin. Bitcoin and ethereum price charts Whether you're brand new to tracking the value of bitcoin and ethereum or a more seasoned crypto investor, Yahoo Finance's price-of-bitcoin chart and price-of-ethereum chart below show a visual history of how the currencies' value continues to move and evolve. 82,608.92 -382.83 (-0.46%) As of 1:08:14 PM UTC. Market Open. 2,527.70 +27.66 (+1.11%) As of 1:08:14 PM UTC. Market Open. More on crypto from the Yahoo Finance team: This embedded content is not available in your region.
