Bitcoin Drops to $66,000 as Iran Tensions Rattle Crypto Markets

Geopolitical shock hits crypto

The selloff began after news broke of the Iranian strikes. Bitcoin, which had been trading near $72,000 earlier this week, fell sharply as traders fled risk assets. The move was broad — altcoins also took a hit, though the exact percentage varied by asset. Trump's denial of communication breakdown didn't stem the selling. The market is now pricing in a higher risk premium, with traders watching for any further escalation in the region.

Kejutan geopolitik melanda kripto

Penjualan besar-besaran bermula selepas berita serangan Iran tersebar. Bitcoin, yang sebelum ini didagangkan hampir $72,000 awal minggu ini, jatuh mendadak apabila pedagang melarikan diri daripada aset berisiko. Pergerakan ini meluas — altcoin juga terjejas, walaupun peratusan tepat berbeza mengikut aset. Penafian Trump mengenai gangguan komunikasi tidak menghentikan penjualan. Pasaran kini mengambil kira premium risiko yang lebih tinggi, dengan pedagang memantau sebarang eskalasi lanjut di rantau ini.

ETF outflows accelerate

The weekly outflow of $1.67 billion from US spot Bitcoin ETFs is the largest since the products launched. Over the past few weeks, cumulative outflows have topped $4 billion. That's a lot of institutional money hitting the exit at once. The timing isn't great — the geopolitical jitters are compounding what was already a cautious mood. Some analysts had warned that ETF flows were slowing, but this pace is steeper than most expected.

Aliran keluar ETF semakin cepat

Aliran keluar mingguan sebanyak $1.67 bilion daripada ETF Bitcoin spot AS adalah yang terbesar sejak produk tersebut dilancarkan. Sepanjang beberapa minggu lalu, jumlah aliran keluar terkumpul telah melebihi $4 bilion. Itulah banyak wang institusi yang keluar serentak. Masa tidak sesuai — kegelisahan geopolitik memburukkan lagi suasana yang sudah berhati-hati. Beberapa penganalisis telah memberi amaran bahawa aliran ETF semakin perlahan, tetapi kadar ini lebih curam daripada jangkaan ramai.

Two very different forecasts

Peter Schiff, a longtime Bitcoin critic, predicted the selloff could push Bitcoin below $50,000 and even below $20,000. On the other end, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong described the selloff as temporary and predicted Bitcoin could reach $1,000,000 by 2030. He recommended at least a 5% portfolio exposure. Two starkly opposing views, but the market is currently siding more with Schiff's bearish narrative — at least for the short term.

Dua ramalan yang sangat berbeza

Peter Schiff, pengkritik lama Bitcoin, meramalkan penjualan besar-besaran ini boleh mendorong Bitcoin di bawah $50,000 dan bahkan di bawah $20,000. Di pihak lain, CEO Coinbase Brian Armstrong menggambarkan penjualan ini sebagai sementara dan meramalkan Bitcoin boleh mencecah $1,000,000 menjelang 2030. Beliau mengesyorkan sekurang-kurangnya 5% pendedahan portfolio. Dua pandangan yang sangat bertentangan, tetapi pasaran kini lebih cenderung kepada naratif menurun Schiff — sekurang-kurangnya untuk jangka pendek.

Stablecoins and cash on the sidelines

During the selloff, demand for stablecoins surged as crypto holders sought shelter within the ecosystem rather than cashing out to fiat. Tether and USDC volumes spiked. Meanwhile, Warren Buffett indicated he is sitting on a pile of cash, comparing markets to a casino environment. That cash isn't flowing into crypto, but the stablecoin activity suggests many traders are waiting for a bottom before re-entering.

The next few days will be critical. Markets will watch for any diplomatic moves in the Middle East and whether ETF outflows slow or reverse. For now, $66,000 is the level to hold — if it breaks, the $60,000 range could be tested quickly.

Stablecoin dan tunai di tepi

Semasa penjualan besar-besaran, permintaan untuk stablecoin melonjak apabila pemegang kripto mencari perlindungan dalam ekosistem daripada menunaikan kepada fiat. Volum Tether dan USDC melonjak. Sementara itu, Warren Buffett menyatakan dia menyimpan longgokan tunai, membandingkan pasaran dengan persekitaran kasino. Tunai itu tidak mengalir ke dalam kripto, tetapi aktiviti stablecoin menunjukkan ramai pedagang menunggu paras terbawah sebelum masuk semula.

Beberapa hari akan datang akan menjadi kritikal. Pasaran akan memerhati sebarang langkah diplomatik di Timur Tengah dan sama ada aliran keluar ETF perlahan atau berbalik. Buat masa ini, $66,000 adalah paras yang perlu dipegang — jika ia menembusi, julat $60,000 mungkin diuji dengan cepat.