Israel Launches Attack on Iran, Crypto Market Crash [Live] Updates

Saudi Arabia said it is prepared to support the United States in “any capacity” amid escalating tensions with Iran. The kingdom also expressed full solidarity with United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan following reported Iranian missile strikes. The statement signals rising regional alignment and could further heighten geopolitical risk across global markets.

Bitcoin’s sharp drop was fueled by heavy institutional selling, not random volatility. Major platforms including Binance, Bybit, Bitfinex, Kraken, and Coinbase saw large BTC outflows within 30 minutes, totaling nearly $5 billion. Market makers like Wintermute and FalconX were also involved. Such coordinated selling often triggers cascading liquidations, as retail traders’ leveraged long positions get wiped out, amplifying downside volatility.

Rising geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran are heightening market uncertainty. Analysts warn that if the conflict escalates or disrupts the Strait of Hormuz—which handles roughly 20% of global oil flows—oil and inflation risks could surge. In such risk-off environments, high-beta assets like crypto and growth stocks typically face the sharpest pressure. However, markets remain highly scenario-dependent, with outcomes ranging from short-term volatility to a broader macro impact.

Tether has frozen about $4.2 billion worth of USDT tied to illicit activity, with roughly $3.5 billion blocked since 2023. This week, the company also helped the U.S. Department of Justice freeze nearly $61 million linked to pig-butchering scams. Meanwhile, USDT’s total circulating supply has surpassed $180 billion. Tether retains the ability to remotely freeze tokens in user wallets when requested by law enforcement authorities.

According to CNN, Israel Katz said Israel carried out a “preemptive strike” against Iran early Saturday. Israeli authorities simultaneously declared a nationwide state of emergency, warning of possible Iranian retaliation involving drones and ballistic missiles. The move sharply escalates regional tensions, with security forces on high alert as officials prepare for potential counterattacks in the coming hours.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States has begun “major combat operations” against Iran, citing missile threats and nuclear concerns. Trump warned the mission could involve American casualties and said the objective is to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He also urged the Iranian public to overthrow its government after the strikes. The statement comes amid rising Middle East tensions and speculation that Israel strongly supported the move. Global markets are closely watching the developments unfold.

Bitcoin has delivered the follow-through many traders were watching for, securing a clean daily close outside the triangle and confirming the breakdown structure. Price is now sitting on the first meaningful support zone between $62.8K and $64K. The outlook from here is straightforward. Holding and closing back above the gray box could keep BTC chopping within the $62.8K–$66K range in the near term. However, sustained closes below this zone shift focus to $60K. In a broader downtrend, a loss of $60K would open the path toward the $53K support region.

Bitcoin is pressing into its 4H range lows near the $63K–$64K liquidity pocket while derivatives positioning remains elevated. Despite price compression following a lower-high structure, exchange netflows show roughly -522 BTC leaving platforms, signaling quiet spot accumulation. Meanwhile, open interest sits high at $20.5B, keeping liquidation risk firmly in play near support. This positioning imbalance suggests volatility expansion is likely next.

Bitcoin is approaching a pivotal technical zone, with the descending channel support aligning near $63,100. This level now acts as the key line in the sand for short-term market structure. A decisive breakdown below $63.1K could invalidate hopes for a bullish Q1 and potentially open the door for deeper downside. For now, traders are closely watching price reaction at this support, as holding the level may keep recovery scenarios alive while a clean break would strengthen bearish momentum.

The crypto market saw a sharp sell-off after fresh geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran spooked traders. Bitcoin dropped to around $63.6K while Ethereum slid to nearly $1.8K, triggering widespread panic. Roughly $75 billion was erased from the total crypto market cap within an hour as leveraged positions unwound rapidly. Analysts note that risk-off sentiment typically hits crypto fast during global conflicts, with elevated liquidations and volatility likely to persist in the near term.

Bitcoin plunged roughly $2,500 in just 45 minutes after reports of Israel striking Iran rattled global markets. The sudden sell-off triggered about $209 million in long liquidations within an hour, reflecting heavy leveraged exposure. Broader crypto sentiment also turned risk-off, wiping nearly $72 billion from total market value. Historically, geopolitical shocks spark rapid volatility in digital assets as traders rush to reduce risk, and the latest move highlights how quickly leveraged positions can unwind during macro-driven panic.

Bitcoin’s liquidation heatmap is heating up as heavy upside liquidity clusters emerge above the current price. Around $66,541, nearly $69.85 million in leveraged positions are at risk of being wiped out. The chart shows dense yellow bands stacked overhead, indicating significant short exposure. If Bitcoin delivers a strong upward move, it could trigger a rapid liquidation cascade, forcing short sellers to close positions and potentially accelerating bullish momentum in the near term.