Geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran have shaken the crypto and commodity markets.
Bitcoin fell to $63,000, while oil exceeded $80 a barrel and gold continued to rise.
13.03.2026
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3 min
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Key points:
- The escalation of the conflict between the US and Iran has caused increased volatility in global markets and a redistribution of capital into safe haven assets.
- Bitcoin briefly fell to $63,000, while oil exceeded $80 per barrel and gold continued to rise.
- Experts note that the cryptocurrency market is becoming increasingly integrated into the global financial system and reacts to geopolitical events in the same way as traditional assets.
The escalation of tensions between the United States and Iran has triggered a surge in volatility across global financial markets and accelerated the shift of capital toward safe-haven assets. Following reports of military strikes in the Middle East, Bitcoin briefly dropped to $63,000 before stabilizing near the $66,000 level. At the same time, oil prices climbed above $80 per barrel on concerns about potential supply disruptions, while gold continued to rise, reinforcing its role as a traditional safe-haven asset.
According to Ryan Lee, Chief Analyst at Bitget, the current market dynamics reflect a classic investor response to geopolitical uncertainty. Lee said:
We’re seeing the escalation of the US–Iran conflict trigger a classic risk-off reaction across global markets. Bitcoin and major cryptocurrencies initially dropped sharply to around $63,000 following news of the strike before stabilizing near $66,000, reflecting their continued correlation with the stock market during periods of heightened uncertainty.
Analysts note that during such periods liquidity tends to shift across different asset classes. Investors reduce exposure to the most volatile market segments while increasing allocations to instruments traditionally used to preserve capital. Lee added:
At the same time, oil rose above $80 on fears of supply disruptions, while gold gained as a traditional safe-haven asset, highlighting the divergence between risk assets and defensive instruments.
Alexander Peresechan, CEO of TECHNOBIT, says the developments also demonstrate the growing integration of the cryptocurrency market into the global macro-financial system. He said:
Today, cryptocurrencies are increasingly reacting to geopolitical events in much the same way as traditional financial instruments. This is largely due to the rising share of institutional capital, which now views digital assets as part of a broader portfolio management strategy alongside equities, commodities, and currencies.
According to him, the crypto market’s reaction to geopolitical events confirms that digital assets are gradually becoming part of the global capital allocation system.
Experts also emphasize that heightened volatility driven by macroeconomic and geopolitical factors can create additional trading opportunities for market participants. Lee explained:
Such macroeconomic shocks reduce liquidity and dampen risk appetite, but they often create tactical opportunities for market participants—especially in commodity markets, where price swings can be significant in both directions.
Amid growing geopolitical uncertainty, investors are increasingly turning to diversified strategies. The future trajectory of cryptocurrencies will largely depend on how the geopolitical situation evolves and how global liquidity markets respond.
Geopolitical conflicts traditionally increase volatility in global markets and lead to capital reallocations across asset classes. During periods of heightened uncertainty, investors tend to increase exposure to defensive instruments such as gold, government bonds, and commodities. At the same time, the cryptocurrency market is becoming increasingly sensitive to macroeconomic and geopolitical factors, reflecting the sector’s growing institutionalization and its deeper integration into the global financial system.
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