Bitcoin remained muted on Thursday, steadying after a broader rise in risk-driven markets as U.S. President Donald Trump talked up the prospect of a peace treaty between Russia and Ukraine. 

The flat price performance comes amid concerns over sticky U.S. inflation, especially following a hotter-than-expected consumer inflation reading. Bitcoin had slid below $95,000 in the wake of the reading.

The world’s biggest cryptocurrency slipped 0.2% to $95,768.0 by 10:11 ET (15:11 GMT). 

Crypto buoyed by Russia-Ukraine peace talk

Broader crypto markets tracked a broader uptrend in risk-driven markets as Trump said both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had expressed hopes for peace in separate calls with the U.S. President. 

Trump also said he had instructed top U.S. officials to begin peace talks. Reports said that China had offered to host the peace summit. 

The news ramped up hopes that the nearly three-year-long conflict- which had rattled global markets and sparked a European energy crisis- was now coming to an end. 

Stock markets in Asian rallied on the news, while U.S. stock index futures also advanced. 

Goldman Sachs increases Bitcoin, Ether ETF holdings

Wall Street major Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE:GS) increased its holdings of Bitcoin and Ether exchange-traded funds in the fourth quarter of 2024, filings showed on Wednesday.

The bank raised its Ether ETF holdings by 2000% in the fourth quarter to $476 million. 

For Bitcoin, GS raised its ETF portfolio by 114% to a total value of $1.52 billion.