The crypto market is facing turbulence again. Bitcoin (BTC) and major altcoins slipped on Wednesday as geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty dampened investor confidence. While not a full-on crash, the market sentiment is clearly cautious — and it could stay that way for a while.
Bitcoin Drops Below $104K as Market Cap Shrinks
As of June 18, the global crypto market cap declined by 1.06%, now standing at around $3.25 trillion. Bitcoin, the largest digital asset by market value, fell to an intraday low of $103,396, marking a 5% loss over the past week.
Meanwhile, Ethereum (ETH) dropped more sharply, hitting $2,456 — a 10% weekly decline — with other altcoins also seeing red across the board.
What’s Driving the Sell-Off?
There are two major forces behind the current slide in crypto prices:
- Escalating Geopolitical Conflict:
Tensions between Israel and Iran continue to dominate headlines. The uncertainty around how the situation could unfold is making global investors more risk-averse. U.S. President Donald Trump’s refusal to rule out direct military involvement has added more fear to the mix. - Macroeconomic Concerns:
All eyes are on the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision, expected later today. Markets are unsure whether the Fed will maintain its current stance or signal a potential rate cut, which could influence crypto sentiment.
Expert Take: What’s Next for Bitcoin?
According to Arthur Aziziov, Founder of B2 Ventures, the lack of positive news has created a fragile environment for crypto assets. He warns that if the Fed doesn’t provide any dovish signals or if geopolitical risks intensify, Bitcoin could fall to the $90,000–$84,000 range.
However, there’s still hope for bulls. “If there’s a shift in sentiment — especially if the Fed hints at rate cuts — Bitcoin could still climb to $128,000 by the end of the year,” Aziziov told reporters.
He also highlighted two critical price levels:
- Resistance at $112,000
- Support at $100,500
A move beyond either level could set off a major trend — whether up or down.
Final Thoughts
Crypto markets are notoriously sensitive to global events, and right now, they’re reflecting broader uncertainty. With Bitcoin teetering near key support, the next few days will be crucial. Whether it’s a bounce or a breakdown could depend on decisions coming from Washington and events unfolding in the Middle East.
Until then, traders and investors may want to stay cautious and keep an eye on the macro landscape.
