Tensions Escalate in the Strait of Hormuz, Bitcoin Sells Off as Safe-Haven Asset, Plunging to $61.7K

marsbitPublished on 2026-07-14Last updated on 2026-07-14

Abstract

Bitcoin's price fell sharply on Monday, July 13, dropping approximately 4% to around $61,700, as heightened geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz triggered a broader shift toward safe-haven assets across global financial markets. Analysts attributed the decline to a confluence of factors: escalating U.S.-Iran tensions fueled risk-off sentiment, reignited inflation concerns, and dampened expectations for near-term Federal Reserve rate cuts. This macro-driven sell-off coincided with a slowdown in institutional ETF inflows and a wave of liquidations for leveraged long positions following Bitcoin's failure to break key resistance levels. Despite the pullback, several market observers characterized the move as a typical, healthy correction within a longer-term bullish cycle, noting that the underlying structural trajectory for Bitcoin remains intact. Attention now turns to upcoming U.S. Consumer Price Index data, which will provide further direction on inflation and monetary policy, key factors influencing risk assets like Bitcoin.

Written by: Forbes

Compiled by: AididiaoJP, Foresight News

On Monday, July 13, Bitcoin prices experienced a notable pullback as global financial markets collectively shifted into risk-off mode due to the latest geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. This event, intertwined with other macro factors, exerted significant downward pressure on the price of this digital asset, swiftly cooling market sentiment.

According to real-time data from Coinbase on the TradingView platform, the price of the world's most valuable cryptocurrency once fell to around $61,700. Earlier in the session, Bitcoin had briefly approached a high near $64,400 but ultimately pared gains and turned negative, ending the day down approximately 4%.

This volatility also echoed the broader stock market performance: major U.S. equity benchmarks such as the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average similarly declined on the day, indicating a weakening of overall investor risk appetite.

Multiple market analysts pointed out in interviews that this Bitcoin price adjustment was not an isolated event but a direct reflection of changes in the global macro environment. In emailed comments, Roy Kashi, Co-founder and CEO of Falconedge, analyzed: "The recent weakness in Bitcoin primarily stems from the broad risk-off sentiment prevalent in global markets."

He further explained that escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran have not only pushed up international oil prices but also reignited market concerns about inflation while diminishing expectations for near-term interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. In this context, investors tend to reduce exposure to risk assets, including Bitcoin, seeking safer havens instead.

Tal Fromchenko, Founder and CEO of Leveraged, expressed similar views and added more specific triggers. He stated: "The price drop to around $62K is mainly influenced by escalating tensions between the US and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a broader sell-off in risk assets.

Simultaneously, institutional inflows via ETFs have slowed, and after Bitcoin failed to break through key resistance levels on Friday, it triggered a large number of forced liquidations of leveraged long positions." Nevertheless, Fromchenko maintained an optimistic outlook, emphasizing: "This is just a typical macro-driven shakeout within a healthy multi-year market cycle. Bitcoin's overall structural growth trajectory remains intact, and the long-term upward trend is unchanged."

Himanshu Sahay, Co-founder and CTO of the Arch crypto lending platform, offered an interpretation from the perspectives of market psychology and liquidity. He noted in an email: "I believe this decline is not triggered by a single event, but more likely the result of the market's combined reaction to macro sentiment, position sizing, and liquidity conditions—factors that can change rapidly in a short period."

Sahay advised investors not to overinterpret short-term volatility, pointing out that Bitcoin has historically experienced sharp price movements during periods of high volatility. Future direction will still depend on the evolution of macroeconomic conditions and the gradual rebuilding of investor confidence.

Saeed Al-Marri, CEO of Ethra Invest, focused his attention on technical aspects and upcoming key data. He analyzed: "From a technical perspective, what we are seeing now looks more like a wave of liquidations rather than a loss of confidence in Bitcoin. When a large number of traders are leveraged long—meaning they borrow money to bet on price increases—any price drop can reach loss thresholds, forcing exchanges to automatically liquidate these positions."

He specifically mentioned that long positions are currently being liquidated at six times the rate of short positions (6 to 1), which clearly indicates that it is primarily bullish bets being cleared out, not a large-scale investor exit from Bitcoin.

Al-Marri further emphasized the macro-level influence: "The bigger driver lies in the upcoming U.S. Consumer Price Index data, i.e., inflation figures, to be released this Wednesday. If the data comes in higher than expected, it would further delay hopes for Fed rate cuts. A higher interest rate environment makes relatively safe assets like bonds and cash appear more attractive, thereby putting pressure on volatile assets like Bitcoin."

He concluded: "The real core story right now is not a structural breakdown in Bitcoin itself, but that the entire market is holding its breath, waiting for the guidance that will come from the key CPI number."

Overall, this Bitcoin price retracement reflects the immediate impact of geopolitical uncertainty on global risk appetite. However, analysts from multiple institutions agree that this falls within the scope of normal market adjustment and does not alter the fundamental nature of Bitcoin as a long-term growth asset. While paying attention to short-term fluctuations, investors also need to closely track this week's U.S. inflation data and further developments in the geopolitical situation to better grasp subsequent market directions.

Related Questions

QWhat is the main reason for Bitcoin's recent price drop according to most analysts in the article?

AThe main reason for Bitcoin's recent price drop is a broad global shift towards safe-haven assets driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz between the US and Iran, which has sparked a widespread risk-off sentiment.

QHow did the US stock market perform on the day Bitcoin price fell significantly?

AOn the day Bitcoin price fell significantly, major US stock market benchmarks like the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average also moved lower, reflecting a general decrease in investor risk appetite.

QAccording to Tal Fromchenko, what specific factor triggered a large wave of forced liquidations for leveraged long positions in Bitcoin?

AAccording to Tal Fromchenko, the forced liquidations were triggered after Bitcoin failed to break through a key resistance level on Friday, following the price decline caused by the heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

QWhat key economic data point does Saeed Al-Marri highlight as a major driver for Bitcoin's price movement in the coming days?

ASaeed Al-Marri highlights the upcoming US Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation data release as a major driver. If the data comes in higher than expected, it could further delay hopes for Federal Reserve rate cuts, putting pressure on volatile assets like Bitcoin.

QWhat is the overall consensus among the cited analysts regarding the long-term trend for Bitcoin despite the recent sell-off?

AThe overall consensus among the cited analysts is that the recent sell-off is a typical macro-driven shakeout within a healthy multi-year market cycle. They believe the fundamental long-term upward growth trajectory for Bitcoin remains intact and unchanged.

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