 ▲ Bitcoin slips to the $67,000 range as Middle East tensions rise… market sentiment freezes again / ChatGPT-generated image |
[Urgent Diagnosis] UK fighter jet forward deployment and inconclusive U.S.–Iran nuclear talks… geopolitical fears put the brakes on a rebound
Bitcoin (BTC), which had shown a strong recovery earlier in the day by briefly touching the $71,000 level, slipped back into the $67,000 range in the afternoon. As the UK moved to forward-deploy stealth fighter jets near the Middle East and U.S.–Iran nuclear negotiations ended without results, rising geopolitical risks from the region appear to have sharply dampened recovering investor sentiment.
As of 4:27 p.m. KST on the 7th, CoinMarketCap data show Bitcoin at $67,905.53, up 4.50% from 24 hours earlier. While it remains in positive territory on a daily basis, it fell 3.18% in just the past hour, quickly giving back gains.
◇ “War fears have engulfed the market”… sentiment index at 8 (Extreme Fear)
What is once again weighing on the market is resurfacing “Middle East risk.” According to foreign media reports, the UK Royal Air Force has forward-deployed six F-35B stealth fighters to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus in preparation for possible Iranian military provocation. The move followed remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump warning of “harsh consequences” if Iran fails to agree to a nuclear deal, even hinting at military action.
Anxiety was further amplified by news that U.S.–Iran nuclear talks held in Muscat, Oman ended without concrete outcomes. Markets interpreted this as a precursor to escalation, triggering risk-off sentiment and leading to Bitcoin selling, analysts say.
Indeed, the Fear & Greed Index compiled by CoinMarketCap currently stands at 8, remaining in the “Extreme Fear” zone. This suggests that investors view the market very pessimistically and may react sensitively even to minor negative developments.
◇ Altcoins also weaken… Ethereum barely holding $2,015
As Bitcoin wavered, altcoins also lost upward momentum. Ethereum (ETH) fell 2.99% over the past hour to $2,015.79, threatening to slip below the $2,000 level.
The CMC20 Index, which tracks the performance of top market-cap cryptocurrencies, also declined 2.54% over the past hour, indicating intensifying selling pressure across the broader market.
Experts believe that how much geopolitical tension eases over the weekend will be key to Bitcoin’s ability to reclaim the $70,000 level.
An industry source noted, “Negative news from the Middle East right after the $70,000 breakout provided an excuse for profit-taking,” adding, “With the Trump administration’s hardline stance toward Iran and Tehran’s potential response, weekend market volatility could be amplified, so extra caution is needed for leveraged investments.”
*Disclaimer: This article is for investment reference only, and no responsibility is taken for investment losses based on this content. The information provided should be interpreted solely for informational purposes.*