Trump’s ‘5-day pause’ in the West Asia crisis sparks crypto surge – Will it last?

ambcryptoPublished on 2026-03-24Last updated on 2026-03-24

Abstract

President Trump's announcement of a five-day pause in military action against Iran led to a drop in oil prices and triggered a surge in the cryptocurrency market. The total crypto market cap rose by 3.4%, with Bitcoin recovering to around $70,800. Social media activity for major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana also spiked. However, the situation remains uncertain as Iran denied U.S. claims of progress in talks. Analysts caution that while Bitcoin has gained 7% since the start of the crisis, market sentiment remains fearful due to parallels with the 2022 Russia-Ukraine conflict, where a sharp rally was followed by a significant decline. The market may be poised for either a sustained bull run or a temporary rally before a pullback.

Global energy markets paused on the 23rd of March after U.S. President Donald Trump suddenly stepped back from his 48-hour threat to destroy Iran’s power grid.

He said there had been progress in secret talks and mentioned major points of agreement toward ending the three-week conflict. Because of this, Trump announced a five-day pause on any action against Iran’s infrastructure, which caused oil prices to drop from around $113 to near $100.

Source: Truth Social

However, the situation is still unclear. While the White House is suggesting that a deal may be close, Iran has rejected these claims, calling them “fake news” and accusing the U.S. of trying to influence oil prices.

Thus, as the five-day pause begins, it’s uncertain whether this is a real step toward peace or just a temporary break in ongoing tensions.

Crypto market turns green

The crypto market reacted quickly to the news. Soon after the announcement, the total market value of crypto went up by about 3.4%, reaching around $2.43 trillion.

Bitcoin [BTC], which was close to falling toward $65,000 earlier, bounced back strongly and climbed to about $70,800 at press time. That’s roughly a 3.5% recovery from its recent lows near $67,000.

Social volume of different tokens

However, price is only part of the story. Data from Santiment showed that Bitcoin’s social activity jumped by 38%.

Source: Santiment/X

Likewise, Ethereum [ETH] and Solana [SOL] saw the biggest spikes in social volume, most likely a result of the five-day pause as well.

Source: Santiment

Bitcoin, on the other hand, is seeing more steady attention, which shows that people still see it as a safer option during uncertain times. Meanwhile, Cardano [ADA] is getting attention only during specific updates, not because of the bigger global situation.

What is ahead for Bitcoin: Bull run or a massive slump?

Bitcoin has gained about 7% since the start of the West Asia crisis, strengthening its position as a potential alternative during uncertainty. If this trend continues, Bitcoin could see further upside as fear fades.

However, experienced traders still remain careful. This is because a similar pattern played out in early 2022 during the Russia-Ukraine war, when Bitcoin surged nearly 40% before dropping sharply by around 67% as the broader economic impact unfolded.

That memory still influences sentiment today, keeping the market on edge. Ergo, at this stage, the market could either be setting up for a sustained bull run or heading toward another temporary rally before a pullback.


Final Summary

  • The five-day war pause has given markets short-term relief, but uncertainty around US-Iran tensions remains high.
  • Despite rising prices, the “extreme fear” sentiment suggests investors lack confidence in a sustained rally.

Related Questions

QWhat was the immediate impact of Trump's announcement of a five-day pause on oil prices?

AOil prices dropped from around $113 to near $100.

QHow did the cryptocurrency market react to the news of the five-day pause?

AThe total crypto market value increased by about 3.4%, reaching approximately $2.43 trillion, with Bitcoin bouncing back to around $70,800.

QWhich cryptocurrencies saw the biggest spikes in social volume according to Santiment data?

AEthereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) saw the biggest spikes in social volume.

QWhat historical event is causing experienced traders to remain cautious about the current Bitcoin surge?

AThe pattern from early 2022 during the Russia-Ukraine war, where Bitcoin surged nearly 40% before dropping sharply by around 67% as the broader economic impact unfolded.

QWhat are the two possible market outcomes mentioned in the article following the five-day pause?

AThe market could either be setting up for a sustained bull run or heading toward another temporary rally before a pullback.

Related Reads

Must-Watch Events Next Week|CLARITY Act Could Face Senate Vote; SpaceX, Circle to Report Earnings (8.3-8.9)

**Summary: Key Events and Developments to Watch (August 3-9)** The upcoming week is marked by significant financial disclosures, key legislative deadlines, and notable product updates. **Major Financial Events:** Several companies are scheduled to release their Q2 2026 earnings. American Bitcoin (ABTC) will report on August 3, followed by SpaceX and Hut 8 Mining Corp. on August 4, and Circle on August 5. Notably, a significant portion of SpaceX shares (up to 12% of total shares) will be unlocked on August 6 following their earnings release. **Key Legislative Deadline:** The U.S. Senate faces an August 7 deadline to secure 60 votes for the CLARITY Act, a bipartisan bill aiming to establish a federal regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies. The Senate may hold a full vote on the bill during the week. **Economic Data:** The U.S. July Non-Farm Payrolls report will be released on August 7, providing crucial labor market data. **Technology & Product Updates:** * **Shutdowns:** DeFi portfolio tracker Zapper and wallet app Ctrl Wallet will cease operations on August 3. * **Upgrades:** LayerZero will deprecate its v1 relayers on August 3. XRP Ledger's new version 3.3.0, featuring five new functions, is expected next week. * **AI:** Elon Musk announced that the advanced Grok 4.6 AI model is set for release around August 7. * **Bitcoin:** The BIP-110 forced signaling for a potential Bitcoin network change is scheduled to begin around August 8. **Other Notable Events:** Chinese robotics firm Unitree Tech has set its preliminary price inquiry for its IPO for August 5. South Korean exchange Upbit will delist AQT and AERGO tokens on August 3.

marsbit9m ago

Must-Watch Events Next Week|CLARITY Act Could Face Senate Vote; SpaceX, Circle to Report Earnings (8.3-8.9)

marsbit9m ago

Stocks Are Plummeting More Sharply Than Cryptocurrencies. Where Has the Money Gone?

Stock Markets Plunge Deeper Than Cryptocurrencies: Where Did the Money Go? In late July, Seoul's Kospi index triggered circuit breakers for two consecutive days, plummeting over 40% from its June high. The collapse was led by heavyweight stocks like SK Hynix, whose record profits still disappointed investors, and devastating leveraged ETFs, with one major product losing over 83% of its value. This signaled a global, forced deleveraging targeting the most crowded trades. Interestingly, while stocks exhibited extreme volatility akin to crypto markets, Bitcoin rose nearly 15% in July after a prior steep drop. Analysis shows the money fleeing equities did not flow into Bitcoin. Instead, Bitcoin had already absorbed its sell-off in May-June, when U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs saw historic outflows. The true safe-haven beneficiary was gold, whose price rose over 20% year-on-year, highlighting a decoupling between Bitcoin and gold as "digital gold." The sell-off was a targeted unwinding of leveraged positions in tech and semiconductors, accelerated by broker-dealer risk management and shifts in the AI narrative, including new competition from Chinese memory chipmakers. The retreat path was clear: from high-valuation tech stocks to cash and U.S. Treasuries, then to gold. For Bitcoin to attract sustained institutional inflows, conditions like eased global liquidity pressure, a "soft-landing" Fed rate cut, and U.S. regulatory clarity via legislation like the stalled CLARITY Act are needed. Currently, Bitcoin is not a safe haven but an already-cleared asset. Its low correlation with tech stocks, however, makes it a potential diversification play for institutional portfolios once the storm passes. The money isn't here yet, but the positioning is underway.

marsbit9m ago

Stocks Are Plummeting More Sharply Than Cryptocurrencies. Where Has the Money Gone?

marsbit9m ago

In Conversation with Ray Dalio: We Are Currently in an AI Bubble, with 1% of My Portfolio in Bitcoin

Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, warns in an interview that the current AI boom shows classic bubble characteristics, which could lead to significant economic downturns as seen in past cycles like 1929 or 2000. He explains that speculative enthusiasm, fueled by debt and overvaluation, often precedes a crash when rising rates or taxation force asset sales, causing widespread losses and recession. Dalio also outlines his "Big Cycle" theory, describing an approximate 80-year pattern where widening wealth gaps, massive government deficits, and shifting geopolitical power (like China's rise) create internal conflict and global instability. He emphasizes that we are in a late-cycle, transitional phase where traditional powers like the US and UK face decline. For personal wealth protection, Dalio advises diversification beyond cash into assets like stocks, bonds, real estate, and particularly gold, which he prefers over Bitcoin. While he holds about 1% of his portfolio in Bitcoin as a non-printable hard asset, he views gold as more secure from technological or governmental threats. Regarding AI's impact, Dalio believes it will disproportionately benefit capital owners, worsening inequality by replacing both physical and cognitive labor. He suggests that human intuition and emotional intelligence, combined with AI, will be key for future workers. On taxation, Dalio argues that wealth taxes are impractical and risk triggering asset sell-offs, reducing productive investment. He points to the UK as a cautionary example of debt, low productivity, and political strife. Geopolitically, Dalio foresees a more regionalized world, with the US showing weakness in prolonged conflicts like with Iran, akin to past imperial declines. The ideal outcome, he suggests, is coexisting powerful blocs (e.g., Americas, China-Asia Pacific) without major war.

marsbit4h ago

In Conversation with Ray Dalio: We Are Currently in an AI Bubble, with 1% of My Portfolio in Bitcoin

marsbit4h ago

Daily 7.2 Trillion KRW: Foreign Capital's Record Net Buying on Friday! Wall Street Says Headwinds for Korean Stock Fund Flows Have Subsided

South Korean stock market sees a dramatic shift in fund flows. On July 31, foreign investors made a record net purchase of approximately KRW 7.2 trillion in KOSPI stocks, marking a fundamental reversal from the persistent large-scale net outflows seen in previous months. This contributed to a significant narrowing of foreign net selling in July to KRW 9.8 trillion, down sharply from KRW 48.4 trillion in June and KRW 44.5 trillion in May. Simultaneously, domestic institutional pressure eased. South Korean pension funds and asset managers turned to a net buying position in July, purchasing KRW 1.0 trillion worth of KOSPI shares, contrasting with net sales in May and June. Market volatility is expected to be dampened by new financial regulations. Effective July 31, the Financial Services Commission tightened access for retail investors to single-stock leveraged ETFs by raising the minimum cash deposit requirement. Trading volumes for these products subsequently dropped to about 50% of their monthly average. Citigroup Research maintains its year-end KOSPI target of 10,000 points. The firm cites several supportive factors: the substantial easing of headwinds from capital outflows, a robust fundamental outlook for the semiconductor sector, historically low market valuations, strong economic fundamentals, and the potential for policy support from financial authorities if needed.

marsbit4h ago

Daily 7.2 Trillion KRW: Foreign Capital's Record Net Buying on Friday! Wall Street Says Headwinds for Korean Stock Fund Flows Have Subsided

marsbit4h ago

Trading

Spot
活动图片