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Crypto steadies as Middle East tensions counter U.S. inflation report boost

Bitcoin and ether prices consolidated near multi-week highs as geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran offset positive market sentiment following a softer-than-expected U.S. inflation report.

Key Points

  • Bitcoin reached a three-week high of $65,200, while ether hit its highest level since June 3 at $1,895.
  • Rising U.S.-Iran hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz tempered gains triggered by Tuesday's favorable U.S. inflation data.
  • Hyperliquid (HYPE) rose 4% toward a record high, while rival token LIT stalled near its all-time peak of $2.76.
  • CoinMarketCap’s Altcoin Season indicator dropped to 46/100 as market strength remained concentrated in major cryptocurrencies.
  • Derivatives data shows $357 million in 24-hour liquidations, with Bitcoin and ether accounting for the majority of the total.

Why it Matters

The current market consolidation reflects a tug-of-war between macroeconomic optimism and geopolitical risk, signaling a cautious environment for digital asset investors. Increased trading volumes on centralized exchanges suggest that despite these tensions, institutional and retail interest in crypto markets remains robust.
CoinDesk Published by Oliver Knight, Saksham Diwan
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