Bitcoin News Today: Crypto Markets Rebound as SEC and CFTC Battle for Oversight Supremacy

The end of the 43-day U.S. government shutdown, signed into law by President Donald Trump on Nov. 12, 2025, triggered a modest rebound in crypto markets, with Bitcoin and Ethereum regaining ground amid renewed investor optimism. The cryptocurrency market, which had slumped during the shutdown due to regulatory uncertainty and stalled policy progress, saw Bitcoin climb above $102,000 after touching weekly lows near $100,800. Analysts attributed the recovery to a temporary shift in risk appetite, with investors balancing between safe-haven assets like gold and cyclical plays such as equities and crypto US shutdown end spurs recovery in crypto markets; Bitcoin, Ethereum rebound.

The shutdown, which stranded federal workers and disrupted operations at agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), had also delayed critical crypto-related rulemaking and exchange-traded fund (ETF) approvals. With the government now reopened, regulatory clarity is expected to improve, though the data vacuum created by the shutdown complicates the Federal Reserve's December policy decisions. Delta Exchange analyst Riya Sehgal noted that the Fed's cautious, likely dovish stance could weaken the dollar and buoy risk assets, including Bitcoin and Ethereum US shutdown end spurs recovery in crypto markets; Bitcoin, Ethereum rebound.

Meanwhile, Congress's return to session has reignited debates over crypto regulation, with two competing Senate drafts proposing to resolve the jurisdictional tug-of-war between the SEC and CFTC. The Agriculture Committee's bill would expand the CFTC's oversight of digital commodities and spot markets, while the Banking Committee's draft grants the SEC authority over "ancillary assets" and introduces a framework for tokens to transition from securities to commodities. These proposals, if enacted, could reshape custody rules, market surveillance, and disclosure requirements for U.S. exchanges SEC vs CFTC Rematch Booked Over Who Polices US Crypto—and Your Coins.

The policy fog extends beyond Washington. Brazil announced plans to crack down on criminal crypto activity, proposing rules to seize virtual assets during investigations and regulate illegal stablecoin use. Separately, a surge in Zcash (ZEC) prices—driven by a $50 million investment by Leap Therapeutics—highlighted the growing appetite for privacy-focused assets. Leap, rebranding as Cypherpunk Technologies, saw its shares jump 369% after the Zcash purchase, which has doubled in value since October Leap Therapeutics Surges 300% on $50M Winklevoss-Backed Zcash Bet.

Despite the short-term optimism, challenges remain. On-chain data shows mixed signals, with Bitcoin's price still down 19% from its October peak and Ethereum facing bearish technical indicators. Vikram Subburaj of Giottus advised investors to treat the current phase as a "macro-led pause," recommending caution until prices confirm a sustained rebound above $105,000 with improved trading volume US shutdown end spurs recovery in crypto markets; Bitcoin, Ethereum rebound.

As markets navigate the post-shutdown landscape, the interplay of regulatory shifts, data gaps, and macroeconomic factors will likely dictate the trajectory of crypto assets. With the CFTC and SEC vying for oversight and global regulators tightening controls, the industry faces a pivotal period of adjustment—one that could redefine its institutional legitimacy and long-term growth prospects.