Key Takeaways

• The Federal Reserve maintained interest rates at 3.50%–3.75% for its fourth consecutive policy meeting
• Four FOMC members dissented: one advocated for a 25-basis-point reduction, while three pushed to eliminate dovish language
• Powell’s chairmanship concludes May 15; this meeting marked his probable final session
• Kevin Warsh successfully passed the Senate Banking Committee review and is positioned to succeed Powell
• Bitcoin retreated to levels just under $76,000 while the Nasdaq declined 0.35% after the announcement

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The Federal Reserve opted to maintain its key interest rate in the 3.50%–3.75% range during Wednesday’s policy meeting, marking the fourth straight session without adjustment.

Policymakers emphasized their focus on balancing stubborn inflationary pressures against emerging indicators of economic deceleration. The committee’s official statement noted it will “carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks” prior to implementing any policy shifts.

The rate decision produced four dissenting votes. Fed Governor Stephen Mirran advocated for a 25-basis-point rate reduction.

The remaining three dissenters—Beth Hammack, Neel Kashkari, and Lorie Logan—supported maintaining current rates but opposed keeping forward guidance that hints at potential cuts. This dynamic creates challenges for incoming leadership.

This policy meeting likely represented Jerome Powell’s final appearance as chair. His tenure concludes on May 15.

Kevin Warsh, widely anticipated to assume the role, secured approval from the Senate Banking Committee on Wednesday. He appears set to transition into the chairmanship upon Powell’s departure.

The three hawkish dissenting votes indicate Warsh may encounter internal resistance should he pursue rate reductions. Achieving consensus among members concerned about inflation will be essential.

Financial markets responded to the announcement. Bitcoin decreased approximately 0.5% across 24 hours, hovering just beneath the $76,000 threshold.

Market Response to Federal Reserve’s Rate Decision

The Nasdaq registered a 0.35% decline. Treasury yields advanced, with the two-year note increasing 9 basis points to reach 3.93% and the 10-year climbing 5 basis points to 4.40%.

Elevated yields typically exert downward pressure on growth-oriented equities and speculative assets including cryptocurrencies. Wednesday’s market adjustments remained relatively contained but demonstrated consistent directionality.

Oil prices contributed an additional dimension to the Fed’s policy dilemma. WTI crude hovered near $105 per barrel, approaching post-conflict peaks.

Balancing Act: The Fed’s Dual Mandate Dilemma

Energy market dynamics directly influence headline inflation metrics, creating additional complexity for monetary policymakers. Elevated oil costs simultaneously threaten economic expansion, positioning the Fed between its dual objectives: price stability and economic support.

Powell was anticipated to elaborate on monetary policy direction during his post-decision press briefing. Market participants scrutinized his remarks for indications regarding the trajectory and timing of potential rate adjustments.

The Fed avoided committing to a specific policy path. Officials stated future decisions will be contingent upon forthcoming economic data and evolving macroeconomic conditions.

Bitcoin traded marginally below $76,000 when the decision was announced, while the Nasdaq maintained moderate losses heading into Powell’s press conference.

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Disclaimer: This is a Press Release provided by a third party who is responsible for the content. Please conduct your own research before taking any action based on the content.

Meta has begun offering select creators the option to receive payouts in USDC, expanding its payments model into blockchain-based transfers.

According to a support page published by Meta Platforms, eligible creators can receive USDC directly into crypto wallets operating on the Solana or Polygon networks. 

The company noted that payouts are processed through Stripe, which may also provide users with crypto-related tax reporting tied to these transactions.

Meta adds stablecoin payouts with external payment rails

“Only use a wallet address that accepts USDC on Solana or Polygon. Funds sent to an unsupported address or network cannot be recovered,” Meta stated in its documentation, warning that transfers to incompatible networks cannot be reversed.

“In the event of technical difficulties or unforeseen circumstances, Meta reserves the right to pay you using another payment method that you designate,” while placing responsibility for wallet security on the user, it added.

Supported wallets listed by Meta include MetaMask, Phantom, and Binance, giving creators multiple options to receive and manage their funds. Instructions provided by the company explain how users can convert USDC into local currency after receiving payouts.

The update was first reported by The Information, which noted that the rollout aligns with Meta’s earlier plans to explore stablecoin integrations through partnerships with third-party firms.

Meta’s entry into stablecoin payouts arrives as USDC infrastructure continues to scale across networks. 

According to Circle, its Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol is designed to “enable USDC to flow natively 1:1 between blockchains—unifying liquidity and simplifying user experience.” The system uses a burn-and-mint model to move tokens across chains without relying on wrapped assets or external liquidity pools.

Circle’s documentation on its USDC Bridge describes a process where “a sender deposits USDC for burn on the source network” before an attestation service authorizes minting on the destination chain, allowing transfers to function as if balances were being moved within a single ledger. 

Industry data cited in earlier analysis shows stablecoins processed about $33 trillion in transactions in 2025, with USDC alone accounting for roughly $8.3 trillion in January 2026.

Meta had previously experimented with digital asset payments through its Libra project, later renamed Diem, which was eventually shut down following regulatory pressure. 

Key Takeaways

• BTC slipped beneath $76,000 following the Federal Reserve’s decision to maintain rates between 3.5% and 3.75%
• Federal Open Market Committee meeting notes highlighted Middle East geopolitical risks as contributing to market “uncertainty”
• President Trump turned down Iran’s proposal to lift the Strait of Hormuz blockade ahead of nuclear negotiations
• Potential U.S. military action against Iran continues to loom, creating additional downward pressure on cryptocurrency markets
• Market analyst Ted Pillows identifies the $79,000–$80,000 zone as critical resistance BTC needs to break through

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Bitcoin’s price tumbled beneath the $76,000 threshold on Wednesday as markets digested two significant headline events: the Federal Reserve’s decision to maintain its current interest rate policy, and President Trump’s dismissal of Iran’s diplomatic overture.

The central bank maintained its federal funds rate within the 3.5%–3.75% range. Meeting minutes from the FOMC highlighted escalating tensions across the Middle East region as a primary source of economic “uncertainty,” influencing the committee’s cautious stance.

Following the publication of the FOMC minutes, Bitcoin experienced an intraday decline to $74,937. This price level positioned the leading cryptocurrency marginally beneath its 20-day simple moving average of $75,664, a technical indicator that market participants have been monitoring with considerable attention.

Shubh Varma, CEO of Hyblock, characterized the movement as “the usual sell the news reaction after the FOMC.” He noted that Bitcoin managed to climb back toward pre-announcement price levels within a matter of hours, highlighting that the global bid-ask ratio surged to 0.3 — among its most elevated readings — suggesting persistent buying interest beneath the surface.

Crypto analyst Ted Pillows (@TedPillows) observed that BTC had successfully retested its support region and was beginning to rebound. He pinpointed the $79,000–$80,000 range as the critical resistance threshold Bitcoin must overcome, cautioning that inability to breach this level could push prices back toward $74,000.

Trump Dismisses Iranian Proposal, Hormuz Waterway Stays Closed

President Trump declined Iran’s diplomatic proposal to lift the Strait of Hormuz blockade prior to engaging in nuclear negotiations. Trump stated the maritime blockade will remain in effect until Iran commits to addressing American concerns regarding its nuclear capabilities, characterizing the blockade as “somewhat more effective than the bombing.”

The President also shared a message on Truth Social accompanied by the phrase “NO MORE MR. NICE GUY,” urging Iran to “get smart soon.” Reports indicate that the U.S. Central Command has developed contingency plans for a limited series of military strikes against Iran should diplomatic efforts continue to stall.

Crude oil markets responded with price increases to this development, compounding downward pressure across Bitcoin and the wider cryptocurrency sector.

Insights From Glassnode Analytics

Glassnode’s research team observed that Bitcoin market participants had increased bearish positioning in advance of the FOMC announcement, evidenced by expanding open interest, relatively neutral funding rates, and observable disconnects between spot and derivatives market indicators.

Their latest Week Onchain analysis characterized Bitcoin as “trapped below market mean,” with the $65,000–$70,000 range functioning as foundational support while insufficient demand continues to constrain upward price movements. Bitcoin has struggled to penetrate its True Market Mean positioned at $79,000.

According to Glassnode’s assessment, capital flows into spot BTC exchange-traded funds alongside expanding CME open interest have contributed to establishing a concentrated accumulation zone between $65,000 and $70,000.

At the time of publication, BTC was changing hands near $75,700, representing a decline from its intraday peak above $77,000.

Ouch.

That is how Holger Zschaeptiz, one of the most widely followed macro commentators on X, reacted after the yield on the 30-year U.S. Treasury note (government bond) rose to 5% early today, hitting the highest since July 2025. This level has been tested only twice over the past two decades.

His reaction also sums up the mood of several crypto analysts who see rising yields as a headwind for bitcoin BTC$75,724.51, the world’s biggest cryptocurrency by market value and a macro asset.

“At this point, the dynamic is simple. As long as yields remain attractive and [Fed’s monetary policy] stays tight, capital has a real alternative to risk. This continues to pressure assets like crypto, depending on liquidity and momentum,” Diana Pires, chief business officer at sFOX, said in an email to CoinDesk. sFOX is a San Francisco-based cryptocurrency prime dealer and trading platform designed for institutional investors, hedge funds, and businesses.

Bitcoin is already under pressure alongside an uptick in the Dollar Index (DXY). As of writing, BTC traded at $75,670, down 2% over 24 hours, and the DXY hovered above 99, looking to extend Wednesday’s 0.5% gain.

Here’s why rising bond yields typically hurt BTC and other risk assets. When the U.S. government needs to borrow money, it issues bonds, and the yield on those bonds is the annual return the bond investors earn. So, when yields rise, bonds become more attractive. A 30-year Treasury yielding 5% is an almost risk-free return.

Therefore, every dollar sitting in bitcoin is a dollar not earning that 5% yield. That tradeoff typically leads to capital rotation out of non-yielding risk assets, such as bitcoin and other risky assets like technology stocks. Rising yields also typically weigh on gold, which fell over 1% to a one-month low of $4,540 on Wednesday and last changed hands near $4,564.

“Rising Treasury yields and a stronger dollar [have] historically pressured crypto valuations by tightening financial conditions,” Vikram Subburaj, CEO of India-based FIU-registered Giottus exchange, said.

Note that the 30-year yield is not the only one rising. The 10-year yield, which serves as a benchmark for borrowing costs across the economy, is also elevated. Together, they point to financial tightening, a situation where borrowing gets costly, disincentivizing risk-taking in both financial markets and the economy.

Bond yields are also rising in the U.K. and other parts of the world.

Fed dissenters push back against easing

The central bank left rates unchanged between 3.5% and 3.75%, as expected. What was not expected was the internal dissent. Three out of 12 voting officials pushed back against easing language in the statement, a development that has caught markets off guard.

That’s pushed up expectations for higher-for-longer interest rates, which is showing up in bond yields.

“The Fed’s decision to keep rates steady wasn’t the shocker, but those three dissenters calling for a strike on any easing guidance threw a bucket of ice on the market’s pivot party. It’s a classic hawkish signal, and as Bitcoin is usually an indicator of risk, Bitcoin is feeling it,” Matt Mena, senior crypto research strategist at 21shares, said in an email.

ING characterized the so-called hawkish dissent by three officials as a warning shot aimed at incoming Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, Donald Trump’s pick to replace outgoing Chairman Jerome Powell. “They perhaps want to make it clear that they will not be easily swayed to his way of thinking that rates in time can be lowered,” ING analysts said.

Interestingly, the policy statement released Wednesday contained no clear bias toward easing, reinforcing the message that the Fed is in no hurry to pivot.

Oil rally is lifting inflation expectations

The bond yield surge is not just about the Fed. Early Thursday, oil prices surged to their highest since 2022, with Brent briefly topping $125 per barrel, after Trump mulled extending the blockade of Iranian ports. Moreover, oil prices have been elevated, hovering largely between $80 to $120 since the Iran war began in late February.

As a result, energy prices at gas stations are surging, pushing long-term inflation expectations higher, as CoinDesk noted early this week.

All of that is pushing yields higher.

“Inflation is not convincingly back to target, and the Fed is not signaling a near-term shift. Markets may want clarity on cuts, but the Fed is not giving yet. Until that changes, flows will keep favoring yield and safety over volatility. For crypto, that means the macro backdrop remains a headwind, not a tailwind,” Pires said.

The native token of Trump-family-linked World Liberty Financial dropped nearly 14% on Wednesday as a controversial governance proposal that would place over 62 billion WLFI tokens under new multiyear vesting schedules went to a community vote.

The proposal was first submitted to the World Liberty governance community on April 15 and officially went live for voting on Wednesday. It proposes locking more than 62 billion WLFI tokens held by early investors and insiders for two years before gradually being released over a span of two to three years. 

Voting runs until May 7. At the time of writing, 99.95% of votes are in favor of the proposal, and the quorum requirement of 1 billion WLFI tokens has already been met, with 6 billion tokens in favor and 3.2 million against.

“This is one of the most significant governance proposals in WLFI history,” World Liberty Financial said in an X post on Wednesday, adding: “62,282,252,205 locked WLFI tokens [are] subject to this proposal. None of it touches the market for a minimum of 2 years if passed.”

Despite nearly 100% of voting power being allocated to the “yes” vote, the proposal has been met with strong criticism from some members of the community.

Cointelegraph previously reported that figures such as Moonrock Capital founder Simon Dedic likened the proposal to a rug pull and questioned the two-year unlocks coinciding with the remainder of Donald Trump’s term as US president. Tron founder Justin Sun, who holds a significant amount of WLFI, also labeled the proposal one of the “most absurd” he’s ever seen.

In the replies to World Liberty’s latest X post announcing that the vote had gone live, the majority of comments were critical of the proposal.

Source: World Liberty Financial 

The unlocking schedule for early investors involves a two-year cliff followed by a two-year linear vest, while insiders such as founders, team members and advisers have a two-year cliff and three-year linear vest.

The proposed schedule has faced backlash for its length, while the voting process has also been criticized because those who don’t vote will have their tokens locked up indefinitely.

Related: Visa adds Polygon, Base support as stablecoin settlement run rate hits $7B

The World Liberty Financial team said this structure was designed to give a “more clear, bounded picture of governance preferences” and to keep tokens in the hands of those who are “genuinely committed” to the future of the project.

According to data from CoinGecko, WLFI was priced at $0.06367 at the time of writing, down 13.6% over the past 24 hours. Overall, it is down 72.8% since hitting the open market. 

Cointelegraph has reached out to World Liberty Financial for comment.

Magazine: Will the CLARITY Act be good — or bad — for DeFi?

Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently.

A three‑way merger proposal from Tether sent shares of Twenty One Capital climbing in after‑hours trading on Wednesday, as the Bitcoin‑focused firm eyes a strategic consolidation with Strike and Elektron Energy. Tether said it intends to vote in favor of a plan that would first merge Twenty One Capital with Strike, a Bitcoin payments company, and then combine the resulting entity with Elektron Energy, a Bitcoin mining operation.

Tether described the aim as building a vertically integrated platform that blends financial services, Bitcoin mining, and capital markets execution. Strike would bring a profitable financial services platform, broad distribution, and regulatory infrastructure, while Elektron would supply large‑scale Bitcoin mining capacity, operational depth, and proven execution capabilities. The terms of the merger and the timeline for completion were not disclosed in the statement.

In after‑hours trading, Twenty One Capital’s stock dipped 1.7% to $7.83 in regular session trading, but rallied after the bell, hitting as high as $9.28 before settling around $8.35, a gain of about 6.6% for the session’s close.

Twenty One Capital sits high among public companies for Bitcoin holdings, with about 43,514 coins. That places it behind Strategy, Inc., which holds the largest publicly disclosed bitcoin treasury with 818,334 coins. Twenty One Capital publicly listed in December following a merger with Cantor Equity Partners and started with a notable Bitcoin position, aiming to grow its Bitcoin per share through ongoing accumulation.

Tether did not release the terms of the proposed mergers or a precise timetable. The plan includes leadership assignments: Elektron Energy founder and CEO Raphael Zagury would serve as president of the new, merged company, while Jack Mallers—founder and CEO of Strike and co‑founder and CEO of Twenty One Capital—would also hold an executive role. Tether framed the leadership alignment as designed to fuse Mallers’ product, brand, and consumer Bitcoin leadership with Zagury’s capital markets, operating, and execution experience.

Key takeaways

• Tether proposes a staged three‑way merger: Twenty One Capital → Strike → Elektron Energy, aiming to integrate payments, mining, and Bitcoin treasury management.
• Strike would contribute a regulated financial services platform with global distribution; Elektron Energy would add large‑scale mining infrastructure and execution depth.
• Terms and closing timetable remain undisclosed, creating a wait‑and‑watch period for investors and observers.
• Twenty One Capital holds about 43,514 Bitcoin, ranking it among the top public holders, though it trails Strategy, Inc.’s 818,334 coins.
• Leadership for the merged entity would feature Raphael Zagury as president and Jack Mallers in an executive role, signaling a blend of capital markets experience with consumer‑facing Bitcoin leadership.

What the merger could unlock—and what it might test

The proposal signals an attempt to move Twenty One Capital beyond a pure treasury play toward an operating platform with recurring revenue opportunities tied to Bitcoin infrastructure. By combining with Strike, the venture gains a payments and financial services backbone that already operates in the Bitcoin ecosystem, potentially expanding access to users and merchants who want integrated on‑ramps for Bitcoin payments and related services. The addition of Elektron Energy would bring mining scale, which could help the merged entity pursue a more dynamic Bitcoin accumulation strategy, leveraging mining operations as a strategic asset rather than a mere balance‑sheet hedge.

From an investor perspective, the move could diversify exposure within a single platform: users gain access to payments, mining, and capital markets execution under a unified brand. Yet the structure remains uncertain, as the terms are not disclosed and regulatory approvals would be required. In an environment where regulatory clarity around crypto‑native consolidations remains variable across jurisdictions, the speed and likelihood of a successful integration will hinge on governance, anti‑trust considerations, and how the new entity would align with existing compliance frameworks for payments and mining operations.

Leadership, governance, and strategic implications

The leadership plan frames a clear mandate: leverage Zagury’s capital markets and execution track record to steer the combined group, while Mallers anchors product strategy, brand power, and consumer Bitcoin leadership. This pairing could, in theory, yield a platform that is more than the sum of its parts—melding consumer‑facing Bitcoin services with heavy‑duty mining operations and sophisticated financial infrastructure. Still, leadership transitions in cross‑industry mergers can introduce execution risk if cultural and operational priorities diverge. Stakeholders will want to see how governance would be structured, how conflicts of interest would be managed, and what milestones would indicate progress toward integration.

For Strike and Strike’s ecosystem, the deal could extend strategic reach beyond payments into a broader Bitcoin stack, potentially enhancing user adoption and cross‑selling opportunities. Elektron Energy, meanwhile, would gain access to a wider corporate platform that could help monetize mining through financial products, services, and partnerships that leverage the company’s mining capacity. The eventual alignment of these diverse activities will be a focal point for investors watching the path to a closing date—and possible synergies—across the three businesses.

Market backdrop and what to watch next

Public market participants have already been in a mood to evaluate Bitcoin‑centric strategies that combine treasury management with operational capability. Twenty One Capital’s Bitcoin holdings—already among the largest among publicly traded crypto‑related entities—offer a strategic asset that could be amplified by a unified platform that also addresses payments and mining. The success of such a three‑way merger would depend on the terms, financing structure, regulatory approvals, and the speed with which the combined organization can integrate disparate functions from consumer product design to large‑scale mining operations.

As with any proposed consolidation in the crypto space, the next steps will hinge on formal filings, board approvals, and any potential antitrust or securities oversight reviews. Investors should monitor updates from Twenty One Capital, Strike, Elektron Energy, and, crucially, any statements from Tether detailing conditions or contingencies tied to the merger. The broader market will also be watching for how this strategy aligns with evolving regulatory environments and whether it signals a trend toward more vertically integrated, crypto‑native platforms rather than dispersed, standalone businesses.

Earlier coverage around Tether’s broader infrastructure initiatives—such as open‑source mining frameworks designed to unify Bitcoin infrastructure—helps contextualize the current proposal as part of a wider push to knit together Bitcoin’s core pillars: payments, mining, and treasury management. Whether this three‑way plan materializes into a lasting, value‑creating enterprise remains to be seen, but it underscores the industry’s ongoing interest in material, multi‑faceted approaches to Bitcoin exposure and ecosystem development.

Readers should watch official updates from the involved companies for terms, timing, and governance details, as well as any regulatory commentary that could influence a potential close. In the near term, the market’s reaction to any new disclosures will shed light on whether investors view this as a meaningful structural shift or a speculative move tied to leadership talent and branding growth within the Bitcoin sector.

Twenty One Capital, Strike, and Elektron Energy have not disclosed a timeline for closing the merger or the precise financial mechanics, but the plan signals a willingness to pursue a high‑impact, cross‑vertical Bitcoin platform if approved.

—

Twenty One Capital shares rose after hours after Tether backed a proposed merger with Strike and Elektron Energy. 

The plan could move the Bitcoin-buying company beyond treasury holdings and into payments, mining, and financial services.

Tether said it intends to vote in favor of merging Twenty One Capital with Strike. The combined company would then merge with Bitcoin mining firm Elektron Energy.

The proposal would bring together three parts of the Bitcoin market. Strike would add payments, distribution, and regulatory infrastructure. Elektron would add mining operations and execution capacity.

Twenty One Capital shares climb after hours

Twenty One Capital shares closed Wednesday down 1.7% at $7.83. However, the stock later rose to $9.28 in after-hours trading.

The shares settled at $8.35 after the bell, marking a 6.6% gain. The move came as investors reacted to Tether’s merger proposal.

Moreover, Tether proposed Elektron founder and CEO Raphael Zagury as president of the merged company. Strike founder Jack Mallers would also hold an executive role.

Tether said the proposed structure would combine “Mallers’ product, brand, and consumer Bitcoin leadership” with “Zagury’s capital markets, operating, and execution experience.”

Bitcoin strategy could expand

Twenty One Capital went public in December through a merger with Cantor Equity Partners. It launched with 43,500 Bitcoin and aimed to grow Bitcoin per share.

The company now holds 43,514 Bitcoin. It ranks second among public companies, behind Strategy, Inc., which holds 818,334 Bitcoin.

Tether said the deal could move Twenty One beyond treasury exposure alone. It added that the company could build operating businesses, recurring revenue, and long-term Bitcoin accumulation capacity.

The Iran war premium is back, and crypto is paying for it.

Bitcoin slid 2.1% over the past 24 hours to $75,633 in Asian hours Thursday, down 3% on the week, as Brent crude jumped 7.1% to $126.41 a barrel — the highest intraday level in four years — on an Axios report that President Donald Trump is set to receive a briefing on new military options against Iran.

The report added U.S. Central Command has asked for hypersonic missiles to be deployed to the Middle East, which would mark the first time American forces have used those weapons in combat. The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively shut since the war began in late February, choking flows of crude, natural gas, and oil products.

Such activity leads to a war premium, which refers to the portion of an asset’s price driven by conflict risk rather than supply-demand fundamentals. Brent has been carrying a heavy one all year, with prices up over 100% year-to-date.

The global benchmark is now riding a nine-day winning streak, the longest since May 2022, and is up over 100% year-to-date.

Ether dropped 3.4% to $2,244 and is down 4.4% on the week. XRP fell 2.1% to $1.37, off 3.7% over seven days. Solana lost 2.6% to $82.62. BNB shed 1.9% to $615. The only green print in the top 10 outside stablecoins is dogecoin, up 3.8% on the day and 10.1% on the week to $0.10.

Risk assets are giving back gains across the board. Nasdaq 100 futures erased an earlier 1.1% rally fueled by strong Alphabet and Amazon earnings, MSCI’s Asia Pacific share index fell 1.4%, and European equities were primed to drop 1% at the open.

The dollar gained and bonds slid as the surge in oil and a hawkish Fed hold sapped demand for fixed income. Treasury 10-year yields held near the highest since July, and Japan’s 10-year notes hit the highest level since 1997, per Bloomberg.

Bitcoin’s resilience through the early stages of the war is being tested. The asset has held a tight band between $74,000 and $78,000 through April even as oil ran from $98 to $126 and the conflict entered its third month. Each escalation headline has produced a sharper drawdown, and the cumulative damage is starting to show.

BTC is now $50,000 below its October 2025 all-time high of $126,000.

Fernando Lillo, director at exchange Zoomex, said in a note that any break above $80,000 requires the war premium to unwind.

“Bitcoin is trying to break the key $80,000 level, which would require a resolution to the Middle East conflict and, as a result, a drop in Brent crude oil prices below $100 per barrel,” he said. “One is impossible without the other, and the USA administration’s plans for a prolonged naval blockade of Iran are becoming a real obstacle.”

Lillo flagged a possible scenario where the Trump administration lifts the blockade in coming days and frames it as a response to “positive steps by Iran” to engineer a relief rally.

“A potential lifting of restrictions in the region and lower oil prices could trigger an accelerated influx of capital into risk assets, paving the way for Bitcoin to consolidate above $80,000 and move toward $85,000.”