Bitcoin Drops to 66,000 Dollars as Trump Signals Possible Escalation in Iran Conflict

Bitcoin fell below 67,000 dollars on Thursday morning, reaching around 66,770 dollars after fresh remarks from Donald Trump suggested a potential escalation in the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Speaking at the White House, Trump indicated that the United States is close to achieving its military objectives and warned of intensified action over the coming weeks. He also stated that the country does not rely on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and does not plan to in the future.

According to The Kobeissi Letter, the remarks did not introduce major new developments. However, markets reacted strongly because there was no clear signal of de escalation, leading traders to price in the possibility of a prolonged conflict.

Selling Pressure Continues to Build

While crypto markets and stock futures declined, oil prices surged back above 100 dollars per barrel, increasing pressure on global economies that depend heavily on Middle Eastern energy supplies.

Despite the recent drop, Bitcoin remains within a range it has maintained over the past two months, and there has not been widespread panic selling since early February.

Data from CryptoQuant shows a shift in behavior among large investors. Wallets holding between 1,000 and 10,000 BTC have moved from accumulation to distribution. Over the past year, holdings in this category have declined by 188,000 BTC after previously increasing by more than 200,000 BTC during 2024.

This trend suggests sustained selling pressure rather than a short term shift. CryptoQuant also reported that overall spot demand for Bitcoin remains in deep contraction. The 30 day apparent demand growth stands at negative 63,000 BTC, indicating that broader market selling continues to outweigh institutional buying, even with increased activity from ETFs and firms like Strategy.

In a separate analysis, a CryptoQuant contributor known as Woominkyu noted that the amount of Bitcoin supply in profit has dropped to a multi year low, while supply in loss is rising sharply. This pattern has historically been associated with the final stages of market corrections.

Broader Crypto Market Reaction

Ethereum also declined, falling below 2,100 dollars, although it remained above the key psychological level of 2,000 dollars at the time of reporting.

Altcoins experienced even steeper losses, including BNB, Solana, Bitcoin Cash, Hyperliquid, and Canton.

A market commentator known as Bull Theory observed that assets which had previously risen on hopes of easing tensions quickly reversed course following the latest developments, highlighting how sensitive the market remains to geopolitical uncertainty.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

Wall Street Signals Confidence in Ripple as BBB Rating Highlights Financial Strength

KBRA has assigned a BBB issuer rating to Ripple Prime, previously known as Hidden Road. This rating represents a significant milestone for the company behind XRP and RLUSD, strengthening its credibility within traditional financial markets.

The announcement follows recent comments from Brad Garlinghouse, who highlighted the strong progress made by Ripple Prime since its acquisition.

What the Rating Reflects

The investment grade rating applies to both the holding company and its main operating subsidiary, signaling increased confidence in Ripple’s expansion into institutional finance beyond its crypto roots. It recognizes the rapid growth of Ripple Prime, particularly in clearing and intermediation services across exchange traded derivatives and fixed income repo markets.

Since launching its ETF platform two years ago, the business has expanded quickly. Its repo operations, which focus on short term United States Treasuries and agency securities, reached meaningful transaction volumes in 2025.

Ripple Prime achieved profitability in 2025, supported by approximately 500 million dollars in capital provided by Ripple following the acquisition of Hidden Road. Its balance sheet has also grown substantially, reinforcing its position as an emerging institutional player.

Garlinghouse recently noted that the platform tripled its revenue run rate within a year, reflecting strong operational momentum.

Financial Strength and Future Outlook

KBRA pointed to Ripple’s strong financial backing as a key factor behind the rating. The company holds nearly 5 billion dollars in cash reserves along with more than 40 billion XRP. The agency indicated that Ripple is highly likely to support its brokerage arm financially if needed, given its strategic importance. This expectation of support played a central role in aligning the ratings of both the parent company and its subsidiary.

The agency also expects Ripple Prime to improve its margins in 2026 as it continues to grow. This expansion is likely to be driven by a larger balance sheet, improved operational efficiency, and continued financial backing.

However, the report also highlighted a key risk. Ripple’s revenues remain closely tied to digital asset activity, including XRP sales. As a result, its earnings could be affected by volatility in the crypto market, especially during extended downturns.

To address this, Ripple is working to diversify its revenue streams. Planned initiatives include Delta1 products and expansion into equity prime brokerage services. The company also recently introduced new solutions called Digital Asset Accounts and Unified Treasury, which allow corporations to manage both fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies within a single integrated system.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

Metaplanet Acquires 5,075 Bitcoin Worth 405 Million Dollars to Become Third Largest Corporate Holder

Metaplanet has purchased 5,075 Bitcoin for approximately 405.48 million dollars during the first quarter of 2026, paying an average price of 79,898 dollars per coin. This acquisition brings the company’s total Bitcoin holdings to 40,177.

The move has pushed Metaplanet into third place among publicly listed companies holding Bitcoin reserves, making it the first non American firm to enter the top three rankings.

Strong First Quarter Drives Ranking Climb

Chief Executive Officer Simon Gerovich shared the update on April 2, noting that the company achieved a year to date Bitcoin yield of 2.8 percent. With this latest purchase, Metaplanet’s total cost basis has risen to just over 104,000 dollars per Bitcoin, with total spending of about 4.18 billion dollars.

This average purchase price is significantly higher than current market levels, as Bitcoin is trading below 67,000 dollars following market reactions to statements from Donald Trump regarding developments in the Middle East conflict. At present prices, Metaplanet’s holdings are valued at around 2.6 billion dollars, leaving the firm with an unrealized loss exceeding 1.5 billion dollars.

Metaplanet’s rise in the rankings was also influenced by MARA Holdings, which sold more than 15,000 BTC in March to raise roughly 1.1 billion dollars for balance sheet adjustments. This reduced its holdings to 38,689 BTC and allowed Twenty One Capital, associated with Jack Mallers, to move into second place with 43,514 BTC.

Meanwhile, Strategy, led by Michael Saylor, remains the largest corporate holder by a wide margin. The company recently added more than 1,000 BTC for nearly 77 million dollars, bringing its total holdings to 762,099 Bitcoin, acquired for over 57 billion dollars and currently valued at around 50 billion dollars.

Transparency Concerns and Future Goals

During February and March 2026, Metaplanet raised approximately 255 million dollars by selling shares and issuing warrants to support its Bitcoin accumulation strategy.

However, the aggressive approach has attracted criticism, with some questioning the timing and transparency of its purchases. Gerovich responded by rejecting these claims, describing them as misleading and inaccurate. He stated that all transactions are disclosed promptly and that wallet addresses are accessible through a public dashboard.

He also noted that the company’s options strategies, including put selling, are reported in its financial statements. According to him, Bitcoin per share, which is Metaplanet’s key performance metric, increased by more than 500 percent in 2025.

Looking ahead, Metaplanet aims to hold 100,000 BTC by the end of 2026 and 210,000 by 2027. Achieving these targets would require the company to more than double its current holdings within the next nine months and expand them several times over in the following year.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

Analyst Turns Fully Bearish on Bitcoin and Warns of a Harsh Second Quarter

A widely followed market analyst, Mr. Wall Street, has issued a warning that the second quarter could be extremely difficult for Bitcoin as signs of weakening participation continue to emerge.

In recent months, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have added pressure to crypto markets. Bitcoin recently declined by nearly three percent, falling toward 66,000 dollars after trading around 69,200 dollars the previous day.

Bullish Outlook Reversed

In a post shared on X, Mr. Wall Street explained that his earlier outlook, which combined short term optimism with mid term caution, has now shifted entirely to a bearish view across all timeframes.

He argued that Bitcoin’s recent 27 percent rally from 60,000 to 76,000 dollars was likely driven by market makers aiming to create liquidity for a larger downward move. According to his view, even if the price rises briefly to capture liquidity above current levels, such a move would likely be temporary before a broader decline resumes.

The analyst revealed that he exited his short term long positions at 68,000 dollars and opened short positions instead. He also placed additional short orders between 77,000 and 83,000 dollars in anticipation of potential price spikes designed to capture liquidity.

He further noted that significant liquidity has accumulated below the current price, including levels formed during the summer of 2024. This, in his view, supports the possibility of Bitcoin dropping to a range between 40,000 and 45,000 dollars.

Beyond technical signals, he highlighted macroeconomic risks as a key concern. A potential escalation involving the United States and Iran could push oil prices sharply higher and increase the likelihood of a global recession, which would likely weigh heavily on risk assets such as Bitcoin.

Rising Concerns Over Market Weakness

Similar concerns were raised by João Wedson, founder of Alphractal, who pointed to declining network activity.

Wedson observed that Bitcoin’s daily transaction fees, measured in US dollars, have dropped to levels last seen during previous market bottoms and are now among the lowest recorded in recent years. This trend suggests weaker demand on the network, a condition that has historically been linked to periods of heightened volatility.

In a separate statement, Wedson cautioned traders against chasing upward price movements during a downtrend. He explained that repeatedly buying into rising prices in a bearish market often benefits larger investors rather than retail participants, as it can provide exit liquidity for major holders looking to reduce their positions.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

Solana Reaches New Monthly High as Stablecoin Volume Climbs to 650 Billion Dollars

The Solana blockchain recorded approximately 650 billion dollars in stablecoin transactions in February 2026, marking a new monthly high. This milestone was highlighted by The Kobeissi Letter, which noted the rapid acceleration in activity.

This surge has pushed total monthly stablecoin volumes close to 2 trillion dollars, placing them far ahead of traditional benchmarks such as gold futures trading.

Solana Drives Surge in Stablecoin Usage

According to The Kobeissi Letter, Solana’s February volume was nearly three times higher than its January figures. The increase has been linked to the launch of new products and shifting market conditions.

There are also expectations that March figures could show further growth, with analysts pointing to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East as a contributing factor.

A similar view was shared by QCP Capital, which reported that stablecoin liquidity expanded even as equities and precious metals declined under pressure from the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. During this period, USD Coin reached a record supply of 81.1 billion dollars before easing back to just over 77 billion, based on data from DefiLlama.

Part of Solana’s growth is tied to new stablecoin launches, including Western Union’s USDPT and Jupiter’s JUPUSD. The Kobeissi Letter noted that JUPUSD attracted attention by offering yield to users within its ecosystem. However, such features remain controversial as traditional banks push for regulations that would prevent stablecoin issuers from offering yield, including proposals within the CLARITY Act.

The scale of stablecoin activity now significantly exceeds some traditional markets. For example, monthly gold futures trading on CME Group recently reached about 208 billion dollars, making it far smaller than the nearly 2 trillion dollars seen in stablecoin transactions.

Trends Across the Wider Stablecoin Market

The broader stablecoin market continues to expand across multiple blockchains. Ethereum holds the largest supply with about 170 billion dollars in circulation. It is followed by Tron with 86 billion dollars, while Solana has around 16 billion dollars.

In cumulative transaction volume, Ethereum remains the leader with roughly 52 trillion dollars processed over time. It is followed by Base and Tron with 34.7 trillion and 23.8 trillion dollars respectively, according to data from Artemis. Solana has also recorded significant growth, surpassing 19 trillion dollars in total transactions.

A recent report from Ripple suggests that rising institutional interest is a major driver behind this expansion. The report found that 74 percent of finance executives consider stablecoins valuable for treasury operations, while 72 percent believe adopting these fiat backed digital assets is essential to remain competitive.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

Bitcoin Transaction Fees Drop to Lowest Level Since 2017 Despite Strong Network Activity

Bitcoin transaction fees have fallen below forty cents for the first time since 2017, based on on chain data shared by analyst Darkfost. Unlike previous periods, this decline is not driven by reduced network usage, as daily transaction volumes remain relatively high.

What Is Behind the Decline in Fees

According to Darkfost, the primary reason for the drop is the introduction of inscriptions, a technical change that limits the transaction weight within each block. This adjustment has reduced competition for block space, resulting in lower fees even though overall activity on the network has not significantly decreased.

Darkfost described the update as a meaningful development for Bitcoin, even though it was implemented through a soft fork. The analyst also emphasized that transaction levels remain steady and far from low. Historically, higher fees have tended to occur during price peaks, while lower fees are more common during bear market conditions, a pattern that appears to be repeating now.

Current Market Conditions

At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading near sixty nine thousand dollars. This represents a decline of more than seventeen percent over the past year and roughly forty five percent from its all time high above one hundred twenty six thousand dollars recorded in October 2025.

Short term performance has been slightly more positive. Data from CoinGecko shows that Bitcoin gained nearly four percent over the past month, although it declined by about seven percent خلال the previous week.

Market volatility has been influenced in part by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Prices dropped to around sixty five thousand dollars on Monday, rebounded above sixty eight thousand dollars on Tuesday, dipped again to sixty six thousand dollars, and then climbed back toward sixty nine thousand dollars following reports that Donald Trump planned to announce a major update regarding the conflict.

What Comes Next for Bitcoin

Analysts suggest that Bitcoin’s recent price movement reflects a consolidation phase, where prices move within a defined range as traders assess the market direction.

Data from Coinglass indicates that momentum remains uncertain, with short term trends still showing lower highs. Meanwhile, analysts at CryptoQuant observed that Bitcoin has re entered an accumulation zone, with large investors becoming more active on Binance by depositing significant amounts of BTC.

Overall, the market does not appear to be in a clear upward or downward trend. Instead, it is trading within a broad range identified by Daan Crypto Trades as being between sixty thousand and eighty thousand dollars. Lower transaction fees are occurring alongside this period of consolidation, reflecting cautious sentiment among traders.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

Ripple Introduces Major Innovation as XRP and Crypto Become Part of Corporate Treasury Systems

Ripple has announced a significant development by integrating digital assets directly into corporate treasury systems for the first time. According to the company, this marks the first instance where cryptocurrencies are built natively into a treasury management platform rather than being handled through separate tools.

In a move that signals growing institutional adoption, the company behind XRP and RLUSD introduced two new product lines called Digital Asset Accounts and Unified Treasury within its Ripple Treasury platform.

These solutions enable corporations to manage both fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies such as XRP and stablecoins within a single system. This approach removes the need for multiple platforms, external wallets, or manual reconciliation processes.

Bringing Crypto to Finance Leaders

In a statement released on April 1, Ripple explained that this integration allows chief financial officers and finance teams to gain real time visibility over their total liquidity across both traditional finance and blockchain systems without altering existing workflows.

The launch builds on Ripple’s 2025 acquisition of GTreasury along with decades of experience in enterprise treasury infrastructure, which reportedly processed over 13 trillion dollars in payment volume last year. The company is now expanding this framework to include digital assets as more corporations seek to incorporate crypto into their financial operations.

Ripple also noted that 72 percent of global finance leaders believe adopting cryptocurrency solutions is necessary to remain competitive. While stablecoin transactions reached 33 trillion dollars in 2025, only a small share has been used for practical applications such as payroll and remittances.

Overview of the New Products

Digital Asset Accounts allow companies to create and manage cryptocurrency balances directly within Ripple Treasury without depending on third party custody providers or external platforms. Assets like XRP, RLUSD, and others are displayed alongside fiat balances with real time valuation, precise accounting, and automated transaction tracking.

Unified Treasury offers a centralized dashboard where finance teams can monitor liquidity across banks, custodians, and blockchain networks in one place. Ripple’s ClearConnect infrastructure enables seamless integration of multiple providers, allowing users to view their complete financial position instantly without manually compiling data.

Mark Johnson, Vice President of Global Product at Ripple Treasury, explained that the goal is to make digital assets function just like cash within the platform. Finance teams do not need to treat crypto differently or manage separate processes, as all balances appear together regardless of whether they are held on chain or in traditional bank accounts.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

Bitcoin Hits 69K While Oil Posts 60 Percent Monthly Surge as Markets React to Global Tensions

Bitcoin climbed to a multi day high above 69,200 dollars earlier today as investors positioned ahead of an anticipated speech from Donald Trump regarding the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

At the same time, most large cap altcoins traded higher, with Ethereum moving above 2,100 dollars and XRP holding support around 1.30 dollars. Zcash and Hedera recorded some of the strongest gains among major assets.

Bitcoin Struggles Around 69K After Volatile Week

Bitcoin ended the previous week with a sharp decline that pushed it from 69,000 dollars down to about 65,600 dollars, dragging overall market sentiment into extreme fear territory. Selling pressure continued into Monday, when the price briefly touched a monthly low near 65,000 dollars as traditional futures markets opened.

Buyers eventually stepped in and prevented further losses. The asset recovered to around 68,000 dollars later that day before swinging back and forth between 66,000 and 68,000 dollars amid ongoing geopolitical developments.

Momentum improved after reports that the President of Iran indicated willingness to end the conflict under certain conditions. Bitcoin then climbed back to around 68,400 dollars before briefly breaking higher to 69,200 dollars following news that Trump would soon address the situation.

After the move, Bitcoin pulled back slightly to around 68,700 dollars. It has so far avoided recording a sixth straight monthly decline, with a market value of approximately 1.375 trillion dollars and dominance above 56 percent according to CoinGecko.

Oil Records Historic Monthly Surge

Oil markets experienced extreme volatility throughout the month as conflict involving Iran intensified and concerns over supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz increased.

As a result, crude oil ended March with a dramatic 60 percent gain. Brent crude futures recorded their strongest monthly increase in nearly four decades since the contract was first introduced.

Altcoins and Market Overview

Ethereum rose more than 3 percent in the past 24 hours, trading comfortably above 2,100 dollars. XRP held steady at 1.36 dollars after defending key support.

BNB traded above 615 dollars, while assets such as Chainlink, Zcash, Avalanche, and Hedera posted stronger gains among large cap tokens.

In contrast, a few assets including Bitcoin Cash, TRON, and CC recorded minor losses.

Overall, the total crypto market capitalization increased by roughly 60 billion dollars in a single day, reaching nearly 2.45 trillion dollars according to CoinGecko.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

Bitcoin Avoids Worst Monthly Losing Streak as Attention Shifts to April Outlook

Bitcoin narrowly avoided matching its longest streak of consecutive monthly losses after closing March with a small gain following a highly volatile period influenced by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The asset spent most of the month under pressure but managed to recover late in the final trading session, finishing slightly higher instead of extending its losing run.

Focus has now moved to April and the second quarter, with analysts assessing what may come next for the market.

March Ends Slightly Positive After Extended Downtrend

Although Bitcoin reached a new all time high in early October, that month still ended with a small loss and marked the beginning of a sustained downturn. Data from CoinGlass shows that after a 3.7 percent decline in October, Bitcoin dropped more than 17.5 percent in November, 3 percent in December, and then recorded additional double digit losses in both January and February 2026.

This sequence resulted in five straight months of declines, placing the market firmly in a bearish phase. March was at risk of extending that streak and matching the worst historical run seen between August 2018 and January 2019. Prices even fell below key levels during the month, but a late rebound on March 31 pushed Bitcoin back above 68,000 dollars, allowing it to close with a modest gain of 1.8 percent.

Despite this, quarterly performance remained weak. Following a 23.07 percent drop in the final quarter of 2025, Bitcoin fell another 22.2 percent in the first quarter of 2026, marking its worst first quarter performance since the 2018 bear market when it lost about 50 percent in the same period.

April Outlook and Market Expectations

Historically, April has often delivered stronger performance for Bitcoin, including a major rally in 2013 and several double digit gains between 2016 and 2020.

Research analyst Lacie Zhang noted that the outlook for April 2026 remains cautiously positive, despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and fragile market sentiment tied to ceasefire discussions in the Middle East.

She explained that Bitcoin and stablecoins are increasingly being used as capital flow channels out of the region, showing relatively low correlation with traditional financial markets. She added that this pattern may support continued institutional accumulation, even amid headline driven volatility.

Zhang also outlined possible scenarios for the second quarter. If conflict in Iran escalates and oil prices rise above 120 dollars, Bitcoin could fall toward 55,000 dollars while Ethereum might decline toward 1,500 dollars.

On the other hand, a meaningful de escalation could push Bitcoin above 90,000 dollars and Ethereum above 2,700 dollars.

She also highlighted the potential impact of the proposed CLARITY Act, though she estimated only a 40 to 60 percent chance of it passing within the year.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

Trump Outlines Conditions for Iran Ceasefire as Bitcoin Holds Steady

Bitcoin remained volatile amid ongoing developments in the Middle East, briefly rising to around 69,200 dollars ahead of a widely anticipated speech by Donald Trump.

During his remarks on rising tensions involving Iran, Trump stated that Iran had requested an immediate ceasefire. However, he made it clear that the United States would only consider such a request if Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz to oil shipments.

He added that military pressure would continue until that condition is met.

Following the announcement, Bitcoin’s price showed limited reaction, holding above 68,000 dollars. Earlier in the day, it reached a five day high before pulling back slightly.

The ongoing situation in the Middle East continues to act as a major driver for crypto market movements. Each new development, particularly statements from Trump, has been triggering fresh volatility across the sector.

Market observers suggest that Bitcoin’s next major move will depend largely on whether tensions escalate or ease in the coming days and weeks.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic