CoinDesk’s 18 September 2026 “Daybook” newsletter turns its attention to XRP and the wider altcoin market, while Bitcoin stands at $77,953.08, up 1.66%.
The briefing is published as investors assess the latest direction of the cryptocurrency market following interest-rate decisions and developments surrounding the Clarity Act. Its daily preview also includes coverage of Bitcoin’s relationship with the Dollar Index and US stocks ahead of the Federal Reserve, with Ether, solana and XRP identified as assets that could benefit if the Clarity Act progresses.
Layer-2 and DeFi tokens are leading a broad advance as concerns following the Federal Reserve’s rate hike begin to ease. Bitcoin, meanwhile, is described as facing a September test, with further rate increases and the Clarity Act setback challenging bullish sentiment.
Live market coverage reports that HYPE is leading an altcoin rally as Bitcoin moves back towards $78,000. The market update follows a period in which Bitcoin had been tested by macroeconomic developments, while the latest moves have renewed attention on alternative cryptocurrencies.
Elsewhere, SBI Group has backed payments company dtcpay in a $25 million funding round. US officials have also said that Iran’s Strait of Hormuz toll booth operated through a bitcoin exchange.
Solana has increased the speed of its blocks by 17%, although its transaction capacity remains unchanged. Corporate treasuries bought only 5,900 bitcoin over three months, with other indicators of demand also described as weak.
Ethereum has confirmed dates for Glamsterdam, but warned that “fake” builders could delay progress on the chain. Exchange-traded funds holding Ether and XRP recorded outflows as the major cryptocurrencies moved higher.
The Bank of Japan raised interest rates by 25 basis points, while Bitcoin climbed above $77,000.
The newsletter also highlights CoinDesk’s “Definitive Stablecoin Landscape Series: Asia Pacific”. The report examines the region’s regulatory framework and stablecoin use cases as digital assets become part of regulated finance, and considers RLUSD’s role in the market.
CoinDesk describes Asia-Pacific as an important testing ground for stablecoins entering regulated financial systems. The report maps the rules governing the region and the ways stablecoins are being used.
The briefing is an excerpt from the CoinDesk newsletter “Daybook”, with readers invited to sign up for the publication.
