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.

Keep reading: Why Is the Crypto Market Up Today? Bitcoin, ETH, XRP and SOL Surge

Current price of bitcoin and ethereum

Bitcoin

The price of bitcoin this morning, Tuesday, September 22, 2026, was 6.7% higher than Monday's opening price. Here's a look at how the opening bitcoin price has changed versus last week, month, and year:

• One week ago: +10.8%

• One month ago: +10.6%

• One year ago: -24.9%

The all-time high for bitcoin was $128,198.07 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, Tuesday, September 22, 2026, was 5% higher than Monday's open. Here's a look at how the opening ethereum price has changed versus last week, month, and year:

• One week ago: +10.4%

• One month ago: +10.4%

• One year ago: -37.6

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.

What is Ethereum and how does it work? 

Ethereum is the blockchain, while ether is the cryptocurrency that runs on it. When people say they're "buying ethereum," they're usually buying ETH — the digital asset used to run applications and store value.

Some investors trade short-term, others accumulate their holdings slowly, and still others focus on earning a yield by locking up their ETH to help run the network — a process known as staking.

How to buy Ethereum

Ether, the native cryptocurrency used on the Ethereum platform, remains significantly more volatile than the S&P 500 for many investors. But it's no longer a moonshot — it's a foundational piece of a modern digital portfolio.

Here's how to start investing in ethereum.

• Step 1: Choose your Ethereum investment strategy

• Step 2: Pick the right platform

• Step 3: Complete identity verification (KYC)

• Step 4: Fund your Ethereum purchase

• Step 5: Execute the trade

• Step 6: Securing your investment

Learn more: How to buy Ethereum and what to know before you do

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-ethereum chart below shows a visual history of how the currency's value continues to move and evolve. 

More on crypto from the Yahoo Finance team: 

• How to trade crypto: A step-by-step guide

• Do you need a bitcoin credit card? 

• Can you buy crypto with a credit card? 

• President Trump called for a strategic bitcoin reserve. How it would work. 

• How to buy a house with crypto

• Yes, crypto is taxed. Here's when you have to pay. 

• How to buy ethereum — and what to know before you do

• How to buy solana: A step-by-step guide