Bitcoin Dips After U.S. Airstrike on Iran Sparks Market Turmoil

Trump Announces Direct Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Facilities

On Saturday evening, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that American forces had carried out precision airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. The statement, posted on his social platform, described the operation as “very successful,” with all aircraft safely exiting Iranian airspace. The announcement triggered immediate turbulence in global financial markets. Within minutes, Bitcoin’s price dropped sharply to approximately $100,945, wiping out over $40 billion in overall crypto market capitalization. Analysts noted the sell-off coincided with a sharp rise in oil prices and mounting investor fears of broader regional instability. The attack, which reportedly involved B-2 bombers and precision-guided munitions, marks the most direct U.S. military engagement in Iran in years.

Crypto Markets React, Then Recover on 24-Hour Trading Flexibility

Following the announcement, major cryptocurrencies posted double-digit liquidation events. Ethereum, Solana, and XRP all saw sudden declines as leveraged traders rushed to exit positions. In total, over $1 billion was liquidated across crypto futures markets within hours. Despite the sharp initial drop, Bitcoin rebounded late Saturday night, recovering above $102,000. As of this writing, the asset is trading near $102,350. Market experts attributed the quick recovery to the crypto market’s 24/7 nature, which enables continuous pricing and faster response to global developments. They also noted that while the drawdown was severe in dollar terms, the percentage shift—roughly 1.5%—remains within expected volatility ranges during geopolitical crises.

Strategic Implications and Investor Sentiment Shift

The airstrike comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, following Iran’s military support for regional allies in recent weeks. Known internally as Operation Midnight Hammer, the U.S. strike was coordinated with intelligence assets and reportedly targeted underground enrichment facilities. While officials emphasized that the operation was defensive, the market interpreted the escalation as a trigger for broader instability. Bitcoin, often seen as both a speculative asset and an inflation hedge, is particularly sensitive to such shocks. Analysts now warn that further geopolitical fallout could introduce higher volatility across digital assets, especially if retaliatory action or regional conflict expands. For now, the market is watching closely as the situation develops.