Bitcoin and ethereum prices today, Tuesday, September 22, 2026: Crypto prices continue to surge to prices last seen in January

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) opened at $86,597.82 on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 6.7% higher than Monday's opening price. As of 7:20 a.m. ET this morning, the price of bitcoin slid to $86,035.18.

Ethereum (ETH-USD) opened at $2,775.96 on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, up 5% from Monday's opening price. The price of ethereum slid lower this morning to $2,734.44 as of 7:20 a.m. ET.

Crypto prices continue to surge this morning, hitting levels last seen in January of this year. This morning's opening price for bitcoin and ethereum both mark gains of over 10% in the last week and month.

Falling oil prices are one contributing factor. As of 7:40 a.m. ET, oil prices (BZ=F) hit $98.49, a welcome reprieve from recent prices over $100 a barrel.

Another major factor in the crypto price surge is short liquidations. This is from a Coinpedia article from September 21:

Another major reason behind today's crypto rally is the wave of short liquidations. Over the past 24 hours, 115,490 traders were liquidated, with total liquidations reaching $769.80 million. Short positions accounted for an 85% share of the losses, around $647 million.

Bitcoin led the liquidations with $421.5 million, while Ethereum followed with $180.31 million. In the latest hour alone, liquidations reached $634.62 million, with about 84% coming from short positions.