The global virtual asset market is shaking due to the aftermath of the U.S. attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. The representative cryptocurrency Bitcoin has collapsed below the $100,000 mark, and major coins such as Ethereum and Ripple (XRP) also showed a simultaneous decline.
Immediately after news of the U.S. air strike on Iranian nuclear facilities spread on the 22nd (local time), Bitcoin's price plummeted, breaking through the psychological support level of $100,000. According to the virtual asset market site CoinMarketCap, as of 6 a.m. on the 23rd local time, Bitcoin was trading at $99,591, a 3.14% drop from 24 hours earlier. This is the first time it has fallen below $100,000 in a month and a half since March 8th.
Bitcoin had once risen to an all-time high of $119,900, but has now dropped more than 10% from its peak due to the heightened tensions in the Middle East.
Market analysts point to the possibility of Iranian retaliation and additional U.S. airstrikes as the background for this decline. Initially, the price held around $102,000-$103,000, but selling pressure intensified as geopolitical risks grew.
Forbes reported that "the Iranian parliament has passed a bill to close the Hormuz Strait, a key passage for global oil transportation," warning that if an actual blockade occurs, it could send shockwaves through the global energy and financial markets.
Alex Kupchikevich, senior market analyst at FxPro, predicted that "if the Middle East situation spreads to neighboring countries or Iran moves to block the strait, the global risk-averse sentiment could become stronger, which would negatively impact not only Bitcoin but all risky assets."
Other major virtual assets also could not escape the downward trend. Ethereum was trading at $2,176, a 9.24% drop, while XRP was trading at $1.95, a 6.13% decline. XRP has even fallen below the $2 mark.
Meanwhile, the 'Virtual Asset Fear and Greed Index' compiled by CoinMarketCap remained at the 'neutral' stage, recording 43 points. This index is used as a reference indicator for investment sentiment, with values closer to 0 indicating extreme fear and values closer to 100 indicating excessive optimism.
