Bitcoin steadied above $64,000 this weekend as traders monitored competing signals from the Middle East, with US-Iran peace discussions set to continue in Switzerland alongside a renewed Iranian threat to close the Strait of Hormuz. The cryptocurrency (BTC) traded around $64,200 on Sunday, up roughly 0.9% over 24 hours but essentially flat across the week. BTC had dipped below $63,000 on Friday before clawing back losses as risk sentiment improved slightly heading into the weekend. Most major digital assets posted modest gains alongside Bitcoin. Ether rose 0.5% on the day and 3.3% across the week to approximately $1,734, while Solana added 1.5% to reach $73. Tron gained 1.2% while Hyperliquid’s HYPE token emerged as the week’s standout performer, surging 14.8% over seven days despite a small Sunday decline. Dogecoin lagged the broader market, dropping 4.9% across the week. Geopolitical developments continue to dominate sentiment across crypto markets. US and Iranian officials including Vice President JD Vance are due to open permanent ceasefire talks in Switzerland, though Iran’s separate order to close the Strait of Hormuz has complicated expectations around a lasting resolution. The Hormuz strait carries approximately 20% of global seaborne oil and its closure would push energy prices higher, raising inflation concerns and increasing pressure on risk assets including Bitcoin. Analysts note that a confirmed reopening would remove a significant overhang, while any genuine disruption to oil flows could drag prices back lower. Bitcoin has effectively tracked the arc of Middle East diplomacy in recent weeks. The token initially rallied on early ceasefire news before selling off when a prior truce collapsed, then again when US strikes followed a brief agreement in June. Traders have grown increasingly cautious about pricing in deals before they are formally signed. Markets are also watching exchange volumes. Combined crypto exchange activity fell 3.45% in May to $4.41 trillion, the lowest monthly figure since September 2024. Real-world asset perpetual futures were a notable exception, with volumes rising 10.4% against the broader trend and hitting a new record high. With Swiss talks now underway, the market’s next direction will largely depend on whether a durable agreement takes hold or tensions escalate further. Analysts say a ceasefire that holds would clear the macro uncertainty weighing on Bitcoin, while a breakdown would likely trigger renewed selling across risk assets. Traders are watching the $63,000 level as near-term support, with a reclaim of $66,000 on strong spot volume seen as the key signal of a recovery in underlying demand.
