Bitcoin has been on a ride ever since January 2025, from skyrocketing to record highs to tumbling hard into a rough autumn. After the CLARITY Act failed in the Senate on 15 September 2026, regulators in Washington pretty much took over the crypto agenda. So, what does that mean for engineers and tech firms in India?
On 20 January 2025, the day Donald Trump walked back into the White House, Bitcoin briefly surged above $109,000. Fast forward to 23 October 2026, and it’s trading at $81,610, about 35% below the peak from October 2025, according to Yahoo Finance. In between, we got executive orders, a landmark law for stablecoins and one tense Senate vote that everyone in the business watched closely.
If you’re in India, it’s the rupee price that matters. Anyone checking the BTC to INR rate on Binance sees 1 BTC at ₹7,641,066.36 on 24 October 2026. The market cap sits at ₹153.6 trillion, and the 24-hour trading volume is at ₹2.1 trillion.
Why does this matter to engineers? Because Washington’s approach to crypto directly affects the kind of software, security and payments work Indian engineering teams get hired to create.
How has Bitcoin’s price moved since Trump returned to the White House?
After Trump was sworn in, Bitcoin shot up to a record of about $126,000 in early October 2025. But since then, it slipped to $81,610 by 23 October 2026. Binance Research’s year review pegged the peak at right around that level, then flagged a pretty sharp dip afterwards.
| Date | Bitcoin price | What was happening |
|---|---|---|
| 20 January 2025 | Above $109,000 | Trump’s inauguration |
| Early October 2025 | About $126,000 | Record high |
| 15 September 2026 | Below $75,000 | Senate vote on the CLARITY Act |
| 24 October 2026 | $80,683.97 | Recovery underway |
Which crypto-friendly policies has Trump introduced in his second term?
Two big moves stand out: The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and the GENIUS Act. On 6 March 2025, Trump signed Executive Order 14233, which set up a federal Bitcoin reserve plus another pile for other digital assets. Fortune reported that the reserve kicked off with roughly 200,000 seized coins.
The other big win came in July 2025, when the GENIUS Act became law. This gave stablecoins a federal legal framework, so now US-dollar digital payments have a clear legal basis, according to Wikipedia. Indian fintech teams are watching closely, since the law could shape how payments technology evolves.
What has Trump said about Bitcoin?
Trump’s made it clear, he wants America to be the world’s leader in crypto. At the March 2025 White House summit, he said he was keeping his promise to turn the country into “the crypto capital of the planet,” which is also quoted on the White House's official Crypto page.
He’s also pledged not to sell the government’s Bitcoin holdings. The executive order itself highlights Bitcoin’s limited supply as a strategic asset for nations that build up their own reserve, according to The National Desk.
What happened to Bitcoin after the Senate rejected the CLARITY Act?
Bitcoin took a hit, then bounced back. That Senate vote on 15 September 2026 ended 49 to 50, far from the 60 needed to pass, according to public records from the Senate. Bitcoin briefly dipped below $75,000 the same day. By 23 October, it was back over $81,000, according to Cryptoticker. Industry leaders tried to stay positive. Paul McCaffery from KBW said the defeat “doesn’t change the trajectory” for crypto deals, according to a post by KBW on LinkedIn.
Regulators stepped in too. The SEC proposed a rule change on 1 October to let state trust companies hold digital assets, and on 5 October, the CFTC opened up comments for new rules on retail crypto trading, according to public press releases from SEC and CFTC. JPMorgan analysts think the bill won’t pass this year, but it could come up again in 2027.
Binance Research’s October note focused more on Bitcoin’s momentum and real-yield sensitivity than on just that bill.
What about Indian crypto investors since the vote?
India’s crypto market has kept its ground, and the rules haven’t really shifted. CoinDCX’s 2025 annual report, echoed by IMARC, shows more than 2 crore users on the platform, a jump of 25% from last year.
India’s 2026-27 Budget kept the same flat 30% tax and 1% TDS (Tax Deducted at Source). Just days before the U.S. Senate vote, authorities cranked up oversight, with FIU-IND sending notices to 15 unregistered offshore platforms on 9 September 2026, according to CoinDesk and Crypto Infrastructure.
After the vote, there isn’t much fresh data on Indian crypto trading. For now, the strongest indicator is the rupee price.
How does Bitcoin’s price impact India’s engineering sector?
Usually in indirect ways. A Bitcoin price swing won’t change orders at a manufacturing plant, but it does steer capital, talent and policy. India’s engineering exports hit $122.43 billion in 2025-26, growing 4.86% over the year, and the U.S. remains a crucial customer, according to India Sea Trade News.
Software is the most obvious link. Exchanges like Bengaluru’s CoinSwitch need engineers for security, trading and payment systems. The GENIUS Act’s stablecoin framework could mean faster settlements for exporters, which is definitely worth keeping an eye on. Washington-led rules now set the pace for that opportunity.
FAQ
Did the CLARITY Act become law?
No. It failed a Senate procedural vote on 15 September 2026 and could come back in 2027.
Is Bitcoin still near its record?
No. It’s trading at $81,610 on 23 October 2026, about 35% below the October 2025 high.
Has India changed its crypto tax since the vote?
No. The 30% tax and 1% TDS haven’t moved.
The bigger picture
Since January 2025, Bitcoin has put investors through a lot, from $109,000 to $126,000, and then back down to the low $80,000s. The Senate’s rejection hurt for a day, but ongoing regulator action and steady deal flow kept things optimistic. Indian engineers will feel the impact mostly through hiring, payments tech and whatever their biggest export market decides to do next.
Author: Pam Brown
Pam Brown is a journalist with exceptional analytical skills and a strong interest in modern financial systems. She specialises in translating complex topics like crypto, loans, and forex into clear, accessible content. Pam’s precise, research-driven writing has made her a trusted voice in the financial and fintech space.