Bitcoin and ethereum prices today, Monday, August 31, 2026: Higher rate expectations pressure crypto prices lower

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) opened at $77,695.48 on Monday, August 31, 2026, 0.7% lower than Sunday's opening price. As of 9:06 a.m. ET this morning, the price of bitcoin moved up to $77,999.80.

Ethereum (ETH-USD) opened at $2,417.98 on Monday, August 31, 2026, down 1.6% from Sunday's opening price. The price of ethereum moved higher this morning to $2,453.78 as of 9:06 a.m. ET.

Last week we featured an article titled, "Bitcoin's Next Test Is $80,000 as Jackson Hole Meeting Looms."

So far, bitcoin isn't passing the test.

Despite prices rising in early trading this morning, both bitcoin and ethereum are down significantly from Friday's opening prices.

Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's Jackson Hole speech reiterated the Fed's duty to lower prices, saying the committee has "work to do." Additionally, U.S. airstrikes on Iranian rocket launchers over the weekend renewed hostilities in the Middle East, pushing oil prices higher, further raising expectations that rate hikes are imminent this year.

Current price of bitcoin and ethereum

Bitcoin

The price of bitcoin this morning was 0.7% lower than Sunday's opening price. Here's a look at how the opening bitcoin price has changed versus last week, month, and year: