Bitcoin BTC surged about 4% on Thursday to trade above $80,000, reclaiming the level for the first time since Aug. 28, as expectations for a September Federal Reserve rate hike eased following comments from Fed Governor Chris Waller. According to CME FedWatch, the odds of a rate hike this month fell to 48% from nearly 70% a day earlier. The shift came after Waller said he would favor keeping interest rates unchanged at the Fed's upcoming meeting if next week's August consumer price index (CPI) report shows continued progress in underlying inflation. Waller puts focus on August CPI Waller said he believes underlying inflation is performing better than headline core inflation figures suggest.