Bitcoin: Third-Highest Q3 Return in History

Bitcoin and Ethereum posted massive Q3 gains, with BTC near $81,500 delivering its third-highest quarterly return ever at +38% and ETH surging +70% to reclaim $2,600, its highest level since January 2026.

September's usual weakness has flipped to +3% for BTC, setting up a potential first-ever four-year streak of green closes if the month ends positive. Bitcoin Q3 performance and Ethereum quarterly gains now hinge on the final days. On the 4h chart, price at $81386.71 tests upper Bollinger resistance at $83090.02 while RSI(14) sits at 68.36 and MACD shows a bearish death cross; a healthy retracement toward EMA50 support at $79110.06 appears probable before continuation.