Bitcoin has surged to $96,000, marking a nearly 10% increase since the start of 2026, with the North American trading session playing a pivotal role in this upward trend. Data from Velo indicates that Bitcoin's cumulative return during North American hours was approximately 8%, significantly outpacing the European session's 3% gain. In contrast, the Asian trading session has been a drag on Bitcoin's performance. This marks a reversal from late 2025, when Bitcoin experienced a 20% decline during North American trading, reaching lows near $80,000. At that time, Bitcoin faced consistent selling pressure at the U.S. market open, with spot Bitcoin ETFs seeing daily outflows. Currently, the strongest returns are observed shortly after the U.S. market opens, a notable shift from the previous six months.