Bitcoin stays above $71,000 despite pressure from a stronger dollar, rising oil prices, and higher U.S. bond yields.

Bitcoin Holds Firm Above $71.5K as Dollar and Bond Yields Rise

Bitcoin climbed above $71,500 on Friday, continuing to outperform U.S. equities even as the dollar strengthened, Treasury yields rose and oil prices remained elevated amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.

The largest cryptocurrency has shown notable resilience despite a macro backdrop that typically pressures risk assets. A stronger U.S. dollar tends to tighten global financial conditions, while elevated oil prices — with both Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate trading near $100 per barrel — add to inflation concerns and raise expectations that interest rates could stay higher for longer. Rising borrowing costs generally weigh on both equities and digital assets.

Despite these headwinds and persistent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, bitcoin has remained relatively stable and ranks among the better-performing macro assets since the conflict escalated on March 1. Historically, Fridays during this period have seen bitcoin decline by around 3%, but that pattern has yet to emerge this week.

The Dollar Index (DXY) climbed above 100 for the first time since late November, reflecting renewed strength in the U.S. currency against a basket of major global currencies. At the same time, U.S. Treasury yields have continued to rise, with the benchmark 10-year yield moving above 4.2%, signaling tighter financial conditions.

Equity markets, however, showed limited momentum. The Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ), which tracks the Nasdaq-100 index, was little changed during the session.

Among crypto-related stocks, Strategy (MSTR) — the largest publicly traded corporate holder of bitcoin — gained about 1% in pre-market trading. The company recently purchased roughly 11,000 BTC this week, funded through proceeds from its perpetual preferred security Stretch (STRC).

Friday also marked the ex-dividend date for STRC, pushing its price slightly below the $100 par value to around $99.50.

Elsewhere in the crypto equity space, bitcoin miners pivoting toward artificial intelligence infrastructure — including IREN (IREN) and Cipher Digital (CIFR) — opened slightly lower, while crypto exchange Coinbase (COIN) rose about 2%.