Bitcoin holds above $62K amid Iran tensions

• Bitcoin remained above US$62,000 as renewed US-Iran tensions lifted oil prices but weighed on gold and government bonds.
• Markets increased expectations of a Federal Reserve rate hike, while Bitcoin and Ether recorded modest daily declines.
• Analysts said cryptocurrencies are increasingly responding to interest rate expectations rather than geopolitical events.

Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) held above US$62,000 as renewed military tensions between the United States and Iran pushed Brent crude up 1% to US$78.80 a barrel, while gold fell for a fourth straight session.

The latest market moves came after the US military conducted another round of strikes against Iran, increasing concerns about inflation and prompting traders to bring forward expectations for the next Federal Reserve interest rate increase from December to October.

Bitcoin traded at US$62,009, down 1.2% over 24 hours but up 1.6% for the week, while Ether (CRYPTO:ETH) fell 1.2% on the day to US$1,730 and remained 5.7% higher over the past seven days.

Solana (CRYPTO:SOL) declined 1.8% to US$77.25, XRP (CRYPTO:XRP) fell 0.7% to US$1.09, while TRON (CRYPTO:TRX) gained 4% over the week and Hyperliquid (CRYPTO:HYPE) rose 5.9% despite a 1.2% daily decline.

The relatively small decline in Bitcoin suggests traders are increasingly reacting to interest rate expectations rather than geopolitical developments, as higher borrowing costs typically reduce liquidity for risk assets.

Gold fell to about US$4,060 an ounce, while government bond prices in Japan, Australia and New Zealand extended losses, pushing two-year US Treasury yields closer to their 2026 highs.

Market sentiment also improved modestly, with the Crypto Fear and Greed Index rising to 27 after spending 40 consecutive days in the extreme fear zone, although the index has remained below 50 since November.

At the time of reporting, Bitcoin price was $62,471.00.