Key Highlights
- Digital currency leader bounced from sub-$65,200 levels to stabilize around $67,500, while alternative tokens posted weekly declines ranging from 3% to 8%
- President Trump informed advisers he’s considering concluding military operations targeting Iran, regardless of Strait of Hormuz status
- Equity futures surged 0.8% following the announcement; crude prices retreated from $107 to approximately $103
- Major equity indices face their most extended decline period since 2022; Asian markets approach worst monthly performance since 2008 crisis
- Digital asset market valuation maintains $2.32 trillion level with minimal weekly change, contrasting with Nasdaq 100’s approximate 5% decline
The leading cryptocurrency maintained a position at $67,545 during Tuesday’s early trading hours, recovering from Monday’s descent beneath $65,200. This earlier decline marked the lowest valuation since military operations involving U.S. and Israeli forces against Iran commenced in late February.
Ethereum sustained levels above $2,000, trading at $2,062 with a 0.4% daily gain. Solana experienced a 0.9% decrease to $83.07, XRP registered a 2.2% decline to $1.32, and dogecoin retreated 2.1% to $0.09. Among top-ten assets, Solana and XRP recorded the steepest weekly declines at 8% and 6.4% respectively.
The aggregate digital asset market capitalization stands at $2.32 trillion, showing minimal movement across the seven-day period. During this identical timeframe, the Nasdaq 100 recorded approximately a 5% decrease.
BREAKING: President Trump is willing to end the Iran War even if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, per WSJ.
Details include:
1. Trump and his aides assessed that a mission to reopen Hormuz would push the conflict beyond his timeline 4-6 weeks
2. Trump believes the US should…
— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) March 31, 2026
According to a Wall Street Journal report from Monday, the President informed his advisory team of his willingness to conclude military operations targeting Iran, even should the Strait of Hormuz continue operating at reduced capacity. Sources indicated that forcing full reopening of the strait would extend operations beyond his preferred four-to-six week timeframe.
Equity futures demonstrated substantial upward momentum following the disclosure. S&P 500 futures advanced 0.8%, Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.7%, and Dow Jones futures increased 0.9%.
Crude oil relinquished portions of recent advances after the news emerged. West Texas Intermediate had reached $107 earlier before declining toward $103. Iranian forces targeted a Kuwaiti crude carrier near Dubai during the trading session.
Traditional Equities Face Extended Downturn
The S&P 500 currently experiences its most prolonged consecutive daily decline since 2022. MSCI Asia Pacific approaches its most severe monthly downturn since the 2008 financial crisis. The CBOE Volatility Index maintains readings above 30, indicating elevated investor anxiety levels.
Treasury securities continued their rally while the dollar weakened against the majority of G10 currencies throughout the session.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell stated that private credit markets show minimal contagion risk, while indicating no pressing requirement for additional interest rate increases. His comments suggested that inflationary pressures remain under control at present.
Market participants await Tuesday’s March consumer confidence data and February’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey for additional economic indicators.
Digital Currency Demonstrates Relative Strength Versus Stocks
JPMorgan analysts observed that Bitcoin demonstrates greater resilience during the Iran crisis compared to traditional safe havens including gold and silver. Gold has experienced an atypical losing period during active military conflict.
Alex Kuptsikevich, chief market analyst at FxPro, stated: “Digital assets have experienced pullbacks, yet demonstrate superior strength relative to equities.”
He elaborated that cryptocurrency markets establish support levels near February lows and exhibit horizontal consolidation patterns, whereas equity markets form distinct downward trajectories.
Bitcoin has maintained trading activity within a range spanning approximately $65,000 to $73,000 throughout the conflict period. Monday’s brief move below $65,200 followed by swift recovery above $67,000 demonstrated genuine buying interest at lower price levels.
WTI crude oil achieved closes above $100 for the first instance since 2022 as the conflict progressed into its fifth week.
