US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities over the weekend sparked a sharp selloff in the crypto market, sending Bitcoin below the $100,000 mark for the first time in two months. The sudden geopolitical shock triggered roughly $700 million in liquidations, primarily affecting long positions, as traders rushed to cut losses amid increased uncertainty.
$700 million in liquidations shake the market
Data from major exchanges shows that over 172,000 traders were liquidated following the Iran strike, with total losses estimated at $681.8 million.
Bitcoin-related liquidations accounted for around $151 million, while Ethereum traders faced even larger losses, nearing $282 million. The selloff pushed Bitcoin to lows near $98,500 before it stabilized just below $100,000 and started growing again.
Other crypto assets, including SOL, XRP, and DOGE also took the hit, losing over $22 million combined.
Here you can check recent market developments on Coinglass' liquidation heatmap.
Iran strike vs past geopolitical shocks
Bitcoin’s reaction to geopolitical risk is not unprecedented. October’s Iran–Israel exchange wiped out about $495 million in crypto longs and shorts, sending the BTC price below $62K.
In March 2022, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine triggered just over $242 million in crypto liquidations, as BTC tumbled from $45,000 to $35,000 in several days. However, after the markets absorbed the news, the number one cryptocurrency rebounded 65% within two months.
These patterns both highlight Bitcoin’s volatility to global uncertainty and emphasize its long-term resilience to shocks.
Do geopolitical turmoils provide investment opportunities?
The current geopolitical turmoil coincides with ongoing regulatory developments, including the SEC’s recent policy roadmap and increasing institutional interest in Bitcoin ETFs. These factors add complexity to the market outlook as investors balance risk with opportunities.
The Iran strike has clearly demonstrated how geopolitical risk can rapidly impact crypto markets, triggering large-scale liquidations and a BTC price crash. However, historical trends and on-chain signals suggest that Bitcoin’s drops below $100,000 may offer a strategic entry point for long-term investors.
Still, opportunities are short-lived. At press time, BTC is already trading at $101.7K.
