•Current price action — BTC is trading in the $77,000–$78,000 range today, up ~2.9% in 24 hours, driven by easing Middle East tensions and ETF inflows. [FxLeaders]#BTC (https://www.fxleaders.com/news/2026/04/18/bitcoin-price-prediction-btc-surges-toward-78000-as-strait-of-hormuz-relief-rally-fuels-risk-on-sentiment/)
•Institutional momentum — Morgan Stanley launched its spot Bitcoin ETF (MSBT) on April 8 at a 0.14% fee — the lowest in the US market — pulling $30.6 million on day one. [Finance Magnates](https://www.financemagnates.com/trending/why-bitcoin-is-surging-today-btc-tops-72000-after-strait-of-hormuz-shock-as-bitcoin-price-prediction-2026-target-80k-resistance/)
•The short squeeze signal — Funding rates on Bitcoin perpetuals have remained negative for 46 consecutive days, a streak last seen after the FTX crash — historically a precursor to sharp upside moves. [CoinDesk](https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/04/14/bitcoin-usd75-000-breakout-fails-but-a-rare-signal-is-hinting-at-major-market-bottom)
•Key resistance— Bitcoin has broken decisively above $77,000 for the first time since its sharp February selloff, now above its 100-day moving average. [CoinDesk](https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/04/17/strategy-back-in-profit-as-bitcoin-hits-two-and-a-half-month-high-above-usd76-300)
- A Bitcoin history timeline and 2026 outlook section rounding out the full picture.