22.06.2025 00:17
A dramatic plunge in cryptocurrency values occurred on Saturday, following a US airstrike on Iranian nuclear facilities. Bitcoin, for the first time in over a month, plummeted below the six-figure mark, reaching a low of $99,822. This sharp decline followed President Trump's announcement on Truth Social of successful strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. He declared a complete and successful mission, boasting of the military's capabilities and calling for peace.
The cryptocurrency market reacted instantaneously to this news. Traders, reacting to the heightened geopolitical tensions, rapidly offloaded their riskier assets. This panic selling followed days of speculation regarding potential US involvement in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, fueled by decades-old allegations of Iranian nuclear weapons development. The US airstrikes effectively confirmed these suspicions, escalating market anxieties.
The impact on various cryptocurrencies varied in severity. While Bitcoin fell below $100,000, XRP experienced a 3.1% drop, settling at $1.8. Ether also declined, reaching $2,201. Solana, however, suffered the most significant losses, plummeting over 5% to $121. These substantial losses completely wiped out any gains seen earlier in the week.
Adding to the already volatile situation, Israel announced the killing of Saeed Izadi, a high-ranking commander in Iran's Quds Force, during an airstrike in Qom. Israeli Defense Minister Katz lauded this as a significant accomplishment, highlighting Izadi's alleged role in supplying Hamas with weapons and funds prior to their October 7th attack, which ignited the Gaza conflict. Izadi was already subject to sanctions imposed by both the US and the UK. These concurrent events further intensified the geopolitical uncertainty, compounding the negative impact on the cryptocurrency market. The simultaneous military actions and ensuing market reaction underscore the increasing interconnectedness of global events and their influence on financial markets.
