Bitcoin recovered to $96,370 on Thursday, its highest level in two months, extending a recent rally. The bounce follows Strategy’s major purchase announcement earlier this week, which helped the crypto claw back from a sluggish start to 2026. Despite this rebound, Bitcoin remains below the coveted $100,000 mark as overall risk appetite for digital assets stays under pressure.

The recovery coincides with news that the U.S. Senate Banking Committee postponed a key vote on a comprehensive crypto market structure bill. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong publicly opposed the measure, citing prohibitions on decentralized finance and tokenized equities. Armstrong stated the exchange would prefer no bill over the current version, creating a standoff in Washington over critical industry legislation.

Broader crypto markets lagged behind Bitcoin's advance. Ethereum fell 0.6% to $3,312, while XRP and Solana dropped 2.4% and 0.5%, respectively. Meme coins Dogecoin and Shiba Inu also declined. The muted altcoin performance, alongside a persistent discount for Bitcoin on U.S. exchanges, suggests retail demand remains weak despite institutional buying and legislative discussions.