- Bitcoin’s value dips to slightly above $27,000 as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East escalate.
- Traditional risk assets face a decline in interest, with traders turning to gold and oil as safe havens.
Amidst growing tensions in the Middle East between Hamas and Israel, Bitcoin’s value seems to be bearing the brunt of these geopolitical events. As per a recent update from CoinDesk, the flagship cryptocurrency saw a decline of 1.2%, now hovering slightly over the $27,000 mark.
Crypto Market Reacts to Geopolitical Upheavals
The unsettling situation in the Middle East is not only affecting Bitcoin but also sending shockwaves across the broader crypto market. According to the CoinDesk Market Index (CMI), which keeps tabs on a wide array of tokens, the overall crypto market has experienced a slump of about 1.6% in the last day. Ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, was down by 2.2%, pushing its weekly losses to beyond 5%. Meanwhile, XRP led the downturn among altcoins, recording a 3% dip.
Other Major Tokens Feel the Heat
The ripple effects of the Middle East tensions don’t stop at Bitcoin, Ether, and XRP. Polkadot’s native token, DOT, along with Polygon’s MATIC, have each seen a decrease of 3% in their value. Tezos’s XTZ faced even steeper losses, dropping by 8%. On the brighter side, Render Network’s token, RNDR, stood out as an exception, registering a 3% increase over the same period.
Investor Sentiment and Bitcoin’s Performance
FxPro’s market analysts weighed in on the situation, shedding light on Bitcoin’s recent price movements. Last week, Bitcoin attempted to breach the $28,000 threshold but met significant resistance. This resistance led to a substantial wave of selling, pushing the cryptocurrency back down to the $27,000 mark. This behavior indicates that investors might be exercising caution, preferring not to tie up their funds in high-risk assets during these tumultuous times.
