Bitcoin missed out on the artificial-intelligence boom that powered stocks higher over the first half of 2026, but it's now it's trying to muscle into the party.

The world's largest cryptocurrency climbed 1.6% to $79,413 over the past 24 hours, although it gave up some of its gains after the August jobs report blew past expectations.

Bitcoin has spent much of the year sulking in the corner as investors plow all their cash into chip and memory stocks.

For crypto investors, there was a lot riding on Friday's nonfarm payrolls report. The jobs number came in strong, with 162,000 jobs added in August, above the 65,000 expected by economists.

The other crucial events on the horizon are the consumer price index inflation reading due on Sept. 11 and the Senate's procedural vote on the Clarity Act on Sept. 15. That industry-friendly bill would regulate cryptos as commodities, not securities.

The recent move higher came after Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller signaled that he was open to holding interest rates steady later this month, citing signs of cooling in recent inflation data.

If the Fed does keep rates unchanged on Sept. 16, that would be good news for stocks-and even better for Bitcoin and other cryptos. When borrowing costs are lower, investors tend to ditch yield-bearing assets like bonds and seek out higher returns.

That's why the next two weeks will help decide if Bitcoin can finally catch up to the AI trade, after months of struggles.