Bitcoin Languishes Below $103K as Global Tensions Rattle Markets

The crypto economy has dipped 1.08% in the past 24 hours, pulling back to $3.16 trillion as bearish vibes rippled through the space and bitcoin touched an intraday low of $102,220. At the same time, tensions between Israel and Iran remain escalated with additional strikes exchanged, marking the second week of ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Markets on Edge: Trump Weighs Moves, BTC Skids, and Liquidations Rise

On Saturday, June 21, 2025, CNN reported fresh strikes in the continuing clash between Israel and Iran. The outlet also mentioned that U.S. President Donald Trump is considering his next move, while a number of B-2 bombers have departed from the Missouri Air Force Base.

CNN revealed that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported the Israeli Air Force shot down three Iranian F-14 fighter jets on Saturday. IDF spokesperson Ephraim Defrin stated that the military also targeted radar detection systems and missile defense batteries in Iran’s western region.

The publication further noted that Defrin told reporters the action was part of a wider push to gain control of Iran’s skies. With a cloud of uncertainty hanging overhead, U.S. equities wrapped up the week with a mixed bag of results.

At Friday’s closing bell on Wall Street, the Nasdaq dropped 0.51% to 19,447.41, the NYSE ticked down 0.16% to 19,868.36, and the S&P 500 eased 0.22% to 5,967.84.

The Dow Jones (DJIA), on the other hand, nudged upward by a slim 0.08% to settle at 42,206.82. Despite often climbing during geopolitical tensions, gold has stayed quiet—slipping 0.08% in the last day and down just over 2% for the week, now priced at $3,368 per ounce.

Silver is also in the red, falling 1.9% on Saturday and 0.82% over the week to land at $36.01 per ounce. The crypto market isn’t escaping the gloom either. Valued at $3.16 trillion, the space has shed more than a full percent.

Bitcoin (BTC), the top digital asset by market cap, slid to a Saturday low of $102,220 and has lost 1% in the past 24 hours. Over the course of the week, BTC is down 2%. Ethereum ( ETH) took a harder hit, dropping 1.45% today and down 4.5% for the seven-day stretch.

BTC/USD chart via Bitstamp on June 21, 2025. 4-hour chart.

Roughly $190.13 million in crypto derivatives positions were wiped out over the past 24 hours, including $27.23 million in long bets. A heftier $42.57 million in ETH longs met the same fate, while altcoins were hit with major sell-offs during the same stretch.

A total of 92,899 traders were liquidated, with the biggest single hit coming from HTX—a $4.74 million ETH- USDT position. Meanwhile, after tumbling to $102,220 per unit, BTC is now cruising at $102,635 per coin just before 5 p.m. Eastern time.

As global markets wade through a mix of geopolitical tension and investor jitters, traders appear to be treading cautiously across all asset classes. The interplay of global conflict and shifting sentiment has left crypto, precious metals, and equities alike navigating choppy waters.

With uncertainty lingering, participants may be watching closely for signals—political or financial—that could shape the coming week’s direction.

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