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Bitcoin briefly hits $71,000 as Trump announces pause on Iran strikes

Bitcoin price surged above $71,000 following President Trump’s announcement of a five-day pause on planned military strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure.

By CryptoPress
March 23, 2026

  • Bitcoin surged over $71,000 on Monday following a social media announcement from President Donald Trump regarding a five-day pause on planned military strikes against Iran.
  • The market rally followed what Trump described as “very good and productive” talks with Tehran, providing a temporary reprieve from a 48-hour ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
  • The sudden price spike triggered approximately $791 million in leveraged liquidations across the crypto market as volatility spiked on conflicting reports.

Bitcoin price reclaimed the $71,000 level on Monday, rebounding from weekend lows near $67,000 as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East showed signs of a temporary de-escalation. The upward move was sparked by a series of posts from President Donald Trump, who stated that the U.S. would postpone strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure to allow for continued diplomatic discussions.

The announcement represented a sharp pivot from the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the White House over the weekend, which had threatened the destruction of Iranian energy facilities if the Strait of Hormuz was not fully reopened to global shipping. Trump noted that he had instructed the Department of Defense to delay any military action for five days, citing “detailed, in-depth, and constructive” conversations aimed at a total resolution of hostilities.

Global markets reacted immediately to the news. While crude oil prices fell sharply—with Brent crude dropping roughly 8%—risk assets like Bitcoin and equities saw a sudden influx of buy pressure. According to market data, Bitcoin reached an intraday high of $71,811 before retracing slightly to settle around the $70,000 mark. The volatility resulted in the liquidation of nearly $270 million in short positions within minutes of the announcement.

However, the sustainability of the rally remains in question as Iranian officials quickly moved to deny that any direct dialogue had occurred. State-run media in Tehran described Trump’s claims as “psychological warfare” intended to stabilize energy markets and lower oil prices. The Iranian Foreign Ministry reiterated that it was not the initiator of the conflict and suggested that communications were currently limited to regional intermediaries like Oman regarding maritime safety.

“The market woke up to some potentially good news,” said Chris Larkin, managing director of trading and investing at E*Trade from Morgan Stanley, in a Bloomberg report. “But follow-through on any relief rally will likely require tangible follow-through on the geopolitical front.”

Despite the conflicting narratives, Bitcoin continues to show relative resilience compared to traditional hedges. While gold has faced pressure due to rising Treasury yields and shifting inflation expectations, Bitcoin has gained roughly 7% since late February, outperforming major stock indices. Analysts suggest that a sustained close above $72,000 could open the door for a move toward the $75,000 liquidity cluster, while failure to hold the $67,000 support could lead to a retest of recent lows.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advice of any kind. Readers should conduct their own research before making any decisions.

© Cryptopress. For informational purposes only, not offered as advice of any kind.

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