Key Takeaways

• Bitcoin falls: The world’s largest crypto slipped 0.5% to $77,487.8, heading for a 1% weekly loss.
• Liquidations surge: CoinGlass data showed $200 million in crypto liquidations over the past 24 hours.
• Iran sticking points persist: Tehran’s uranium stockpile and Hormuz toll plans remain unresolved major obstacles.
• Khamenei holds uranium: Iran’s Supreme Leader insisted Tehran will retain its enriched uranium reserves.
• Rubio rejects tolls: The U.S. Secretary of State rebuffed Iran’s proposal to charge vessels for Hormuz transit.
• Oil rebounds: Crude’s recovery reignited inflation fears and dampened appetite for speculative assets.
• Rate cut hopes fade: Markets have scaled back Fed easing expectations as energy prices threaten to keep inflation elevated.
• Rising Treasury yields: Higher yields continue to reduce the appeal of risk assets like crypto.
• Institutional support intact: Continued ETF inflows and institutional buying provide a floor.
• Key support zone: Analysts identify $76,000-$77,000 as critical support; $80,000 would signal bullish revival.
• Altcoins mixed: Ethereum lost 0.3% to $2,129.92, XRP fell 0.7% to $1.366, while Solana rose 0.5% and Cardano and Polygon each gained 1%.
• Dogecoin flat: The leading memecoin traded sideways.

Bitcoin edged lower on Thursday near $77,000 and was set for a weekly loss, as a fresh wave of liquidations and lingering uncertainty over U.S.-Iran negotiations weighed on broader risk sentiment.

The world’s largest cryptocurrency last traded 0.5% lower at $77,487.8 by 03:38 ET (07:38 GMT).

Bitcoin was on track for a 1% weekly loss as investors reduced exposure to risk assets amid geopolitical uncertainty and rising Treasury yields.

Bitcoin Pressured by Liquidations, Iran Peace Doubts

Crypto markets have come under pressure from heightened volatility linked to the Middle East conflict.

While U.S. and Iranian officials this week acknowledged “some good signs” in talks aimed at easing tensions, major sticking points remained unresolved — including Tehran’s uranium stockpile and proposed controls over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Supreme Leader reportedly insisted Tehran would retain its enriched uranium reserves, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected proposals involving tolls on vessels using the Strait of Hormuz.

The uncertainty led to a rebound in oil prices, reigniting inflation concerns and dampening appetite for speculative assets such as cryptocurrencies.

Markets have scaled back expectations for U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate cuts this year as higher energy prices threatened to keep inflation elevated.

The latest decline in Bitcoin also triggered another round of liquidations across leveraged crypto positions. CoinGlass data showed $200 million in crypto liquidations over the past 24 hours.

Bitcoin remains supported by continued institutional buying and steady inflows into spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds.

Analysts said the $76,000-$77,000 zone remains an important support area for the token, while a sustained move back above $80,000 could revive bullish momentum.

Crypto Price Today: Altcoins Mixed in Range-Bound Trade

Most altcoins traded in tight ranges on Friday.

Ethereum, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency, lost 0.3% to $2,129.92.

XRP, ranked third globally, fell 0.7% to $1.366.

Solana edged up 0.5%, while Cardano and Polygon rose 1% each.

Among meme tokens, Dogecoin traded flat.