Bitcoin Rises as Trump Amplifies Iran Threats, Fed Rate Cut Chances Fall Near Zero
Bitcoin has risen 3% to $71,255 but remains rangebound as investors remain cautious amid geopolitical tension. Oil prices have surged, with Brent crude reaching nearly $120 per barrel before easing to $88.87, driven by fears of U.S.-Iran conflict disrupting Middle Eastern oil flows. President Trump issued conflicting messages, at one point threatening severe retaliation if Iran impedes oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Market uncertainty persists, keeping Bitcoin in a consolidation phase rather than trending higher or lower, as traders await the Federal Reserve’s next interest rate decision on March 18. Expectations for a rate cut have dropped sharply from 20% to less than 1%. The sideways trading environment has triggered approximately $359 million in liquidations of crypto derivatives, with both bears and bulls seeing clustered liquidation zones just above and below current price levels, indicating ongoing short-term volatility driven by liquidity movements.
