Leading cryptocurrencies fell alongside stocks on Wednesday as the U.S. strikes against Iran threaten peace negotiations.

Cryptocurrency 24-Hour Gains +/- Price (Recorded at 9:20 p.m. EDT)
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) -1.90% $62,323.71
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH)
               
-1.76% $1,744.96
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP)                          -1.87% $1.09
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL)                          -2.44% $78.29
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE)              -2.07% $0.07265

Crypto Market Shakes

Bitcoin slipped under $61,500, then climbed back above $62,000 overnight. Ethereum oscillated within the $1,700 region, even as the 24-hour trading volume saw an uptick. XRP and Dogecoin sank lower.

Cryptocurrency-related stocks also slipped, with Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR) and Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) closing down 3.58% and 2.54%, respectively. 

Over $330 million was liquidated from the cryptocurrency market in the last 24 hours, with $261 million in bullish long positions alone wiped out, according to Coinglass data.

Nearly $400 million in Bitcoin longs risked liquidation if the apex cryptocurrency falls to $60,000.

Bitcoin’s open interest slid 1.40% over the last 24 hours. Smart money sentiment, which refers to the collective outlook and capital allocation of institutional investors, turned “extremely bearish” on Binance.

Top Gainers (24 Hours) 

Cryptocurrency (Market Cap>$100 M) Gains +/- Price (Recorded at 9:20 p.m. EDT)
UnifAI Network (UAI)       +16.21%     $0.4176
Apecoin (APE)                    +11.02%     $0.1609
Cash Cat (CASHCAT)               +9.40%     $0.1245

The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $2.15 trillion, contracting 1.67% over the last 24 hours.

Stocks Dive As Iran Strikes Intensify

Stocks slipped further on Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 576.76 points, or 1.09%, to end at 52,348.39.  The S&P 500 lost 0.28% to close at 7,482.71. The Nasdaq Composite was the outlier, rising 0.2% to close at 25,870.65.

President Donald Trump reposted news of strikes on Iran’s southeastern city of Chahbahar on his Truth social, saying, “This is in retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran. If it happens again, it will get much worse.”

Earlier in the day, he declared that the tentative ceasefire and memorandum of understanding with Iran is “over,” sending markets reeling.

Bitcoin To Struggle In Short Term?

On-chain analytics firm Santiment highlighted a sharp jump in “war-related crypto chatter,” anticipating increased volatility in the days ahead.

“If tensions keep rising, Bitcoin and altcoins may struggle short term, but if fear spikes too far too fast, it can also set up sharp relief rallies when headlines cool,” Santiment added.

Ali Martinez, a widely followed cryptocurrency analyst and trader, identified $63,000 as the major wall bulls need to break.

“Many holders who bought near $63,000 may use a return to their cost basis as an opportunity to exit at breakeven, adding selling pressure around this zone,” the analyst added.

Martinez also flagged downside risks, including potential declines to $46,000 or $37,870 if Bitcoin loses $59,000 as support.

Photo Courtesy: Marc Bruxelle on Shutterstock.com