Bitcoin Slides Below $64,000 as Geopolitical Tensions Escalate with U.S.-Israel Strikes on Iran

Bitcoin tumbled below $64,000 on February 28, 2026, extending a sharp weekend sell-off triggered by reports of joint U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran. The world’s largest cryptocurrency fell as much as 5% in early trading, reaching lows near $63,000 before paring some losses, amid a broader flight from risk assets.

As of late February 28 in Asia (early morning UTC), Bitcoin traded around $63,800 to $64,000, down approximately 4% over the past 24 hours according to aggregated data from CoinMarketCap, CoinDesk and Binance. The 24-hour trading volume surged to more than $41 billion, reflecting heightened volatility and liquidations across leveraged positions.

The decline erased much of a brief mid-week rebound that had pushed Bitcoin toward $70,000 earlier in the week. From its all-time high of $126,198 reached in October 2025, the token now sits roughly 49% lower, with year-to-date losses exceeding 20% in calendar 2026.

Analysts attributed the latest drop directly to geopolitical developments. Explosions reported in Tehran and retaliatory Iranian missile launches toward Israel and Gulf states heightened fears of a wider Middle East conflict. Bitcoin, often viewed as a risk-on asset correlated with equities during periods of uncertainty, reacted swiftly alongside declines in U.S. stock futures and other cryptocurrencies like Ether, which fell over 6%.

“This is classic risk-off behavior,” said a senior trader at a major crypto exchange, speaking on condition of anonymity. “When headlines scream war, investors dump anything volatile — crypto gets hit hard first.” Roughly $128 billion evaporated from the total digital asset market cap in the immediate aftermath, per CoinGecko data.

The pullback comes after a turbulent February for Bitcoin. Prices had already weakened from January highs near $85,000 amid deleveraging in overextended positions and broader market caution. A mid-month dip below $63,000 earlier in February marked the lowest since early in the year before a partial recovery.

Despite the downturn, some observers highlighted resilience. Bloomberg Intelligence ETF analyst Eric Balchunas noted that spot Bitcoin ETF investors have shown “diamond hands,” with minimal outflows during the slump. Inflows into products like BlackRock’s IBIT and Fidelity’s FBTC remained steady or positive in recent weeks, suggesting long-term holders are absorbing selling pressure.

Institutional adoption continues to underpin the asset. Corporate treasuries, including MicroStrategy’s ongoing purchases, and growing sovereign interest have provided a floor. However, short-term sentiment remains bearish, with the Crypto Fear & Greed Index hovering in “fear” territory.

Technical levels are in focus. Bitcoin holds support near $62,000 to $63,000, a zone that has acted as a floor in prior corrections. A break below could target $60,000, while resistance sits around $66,000 to $68,000 from recent highs.

Broader crypto market dynamics amplified the move. Altcoins like Solana, XRP and Dogecoin fell 6% or more, with total market capitalization dipping below $2.3 trillion. Liquidations exceeded $500 million in the past day, mostly long positions, per Coinglass.

The geopolitical backdrop overshadowed other factors. Ongoing U.S. tariff discussions and Federal Reserve policy signals had already weighed on risk assets, but the Iran strikes accelerated the exodus. Oil prices spiked over 10%, boosting inflation concerns that could pressure growth-sensitive investments like crypto.

Looking ahead, market participants eye potential catalysts. A de-escalation in the Middle East could spark a relief rally, while prolonged conflict risks further downside. Prediction markets give low odds — around 10% — for Bitcoin reaching $150,000 in 2026, reflecting tempered expectations after the post-2025 euphoria.

Bitcoin’s circulating supply stands near 20 million coins, with the halving cycle from 2024 still influencing scarcity dynamics. Miners continue operations amid higher energy costs, though hash rate remains robust.

Retail and institutional traders alike monitor developments closely. On platforms like X and Reddit, discussions range from “buy the dip” calls to warnings of deeper corrections if global instability persists.

As of February 28, Bitcoin’s market capitalization hovers around $1.28 trillion, maintaining its position as the dominant cryptocurrency. The asset’s correlation with traditional markets has grown since ETF approvals, making it more susceptible to macroeconomic and geopolitical shocks.

While the weekend sell-off marks a painful setback, Bitcoin has historically recovered from sharp drawdowns tied to external events. Whether this episode proves a capitulation low or prelude to further weakness depends on how the Iran situation unfolds and broader risk appetite rebounds.

Investors are advised to stay informed through reliable sources, as volatility remains elevated. The coming days will test Bitcoin’s resilience amid one of the most uncertain periods in recent memory.