Bitcoin Dives Under $100K as Geopolitical Tensions Escalate With Iran’s Threats

Bitcoin Slides Under $100K as Markets Eye Potential Iranian Retaliation

Bitcoin fell below the $100,000 threshold on Monday as geopolitical tensions escalated, following reports that Iran may be preparing retaliatory strikes against U.S. military installations in the Gulf region.

The flagship cryptocurrency dropped to a session low near $98,500 before recovering slightly. It was last seen hovering just above the six-figure mark. Broader crypto markets also turned lower, with Ether (ETH) briefly slipping under $2,200 and XRP falling beneath $2.

The CoinDesk 20 Index lost nearly 3% during early U.S. trading hours, though it remained marginally positive over the past 24 hours.

The decline followed a report from Axios, which stated that former President Donald Trump’s administration was anticipating potential Iranian military responses to recent U.S. airstrikes on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities. U.S. bases in Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait are reportedly on high alert.

Trump is expected to convene with his national security team to assess the evolving threat landscape.

“Bitcoin’s sharp reversal highlights investor nervousness around global risk,” said Kirill Kretov, senior automation expert at CoinPanel. “With conflict looming in the Middle East, we’re seeing a classic flight from volatile assets like crypto.”

The crypto market’s reaction underscores its sensitivity to geopolitical developments, especially during times of heightened military tension and macroeconomic uncertainty.