On Tuesday, cryptocurrency values experienced a downturn, with Ethereum dipping below the $2,500 mark amid rising geopolitical tensions triggered by Iran's missile strikes on Israel.
This unrest has unsettled investors across global markets, prompting a shift towards safer assets like bonds, the dollar, and gold.
Quinn Thompson, the founder of Lekker Capital, remarked on the market’s response, noting that there was initial optimism regarding Iran’s potential restraint. However, the threat of further escalation in the Middle East is generating widespread anxiety.
He stated, “Even a 20% chance of significant escalation could lead markets to adjust prices accordingly, as the consequences might be dire.” Thompson also pointed out the political implications of the conflict, suggesting that a rise in tensions could enhance former President Donald Trump’s prospects in the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
In addition to geopolitical concerns, Thompson highlighted the impact of this week’s economic events, particularly the upcoming U.S. jobs report, which has led investors to adopt a cautious stance. This cautious sentiment has further fueled the market’s selloff.
The broader stock market reflected similar trends, with the Nasdaq down 1.5% in early trading as investors moved away from riskier assets. Bitcoin, often likened to “digital gold,” usually regarded as a safe haven, also fell briefly below $62,000 during this decline.
Thompson explained that the markets had been overextended due to excessive optimism in both cryptocurrencies and stocks. He added, “Assets were highly priced based on technical indicators, making them particularly susceptible to a drop when negative news emerged.”
In a move that underscores its ambition to bridge crypto and traditional finance, Ripple is expanding the role of its newly acquired prime brokerage platform, Hidden Road.
HashKey Capital has officially launched Asia’s first XRP Tracker Fund, providing professional investors with regulated exposure to XRP without the need for direct ownership.
After closing 2024 on a high note, the crypto market faced a sharp correction in early 2025. Enthusiasm that had been fueled by a favorable macro backdrop—including Donald Trump’s presidential win and dovish signals from the U.S. Federal Reserve—quickly gave way to uncertainty…
Donald Trump has reignited his attacks on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, criticizing him for holding off on interest rate cuts despite slowing inflation.