Bitcoin holds above $83,000 ahead of U.S. inflation data as altcoins lag

Bitcoin briefly touched $84,000 before easing back to hold above $83,000, while the broader CoinDesk 80 index slipped 0.6% since midnight. Traders are in a holding pattern ahead of U.S. inflation data, which could influence expectations for Fed policy and risk appetite. Altcoins are lagging, suggesting capital remains concentrated in bitcoin rather than rotating into higher-beta assets.