- Bitcoin holds firm as oil shocks fuel inflation, outperforming stocks, bonds, and gold last week.
- Reduced crypto leverage limits forced selling, keeping Bitcoin steady amid global market volatility.
- Investors eye long-term crypto gains, with low $50K zones attractive ahead of next week’s FOMC.
Markets are in turmoil as Middle East tensions enter a second week, sending Brent crude prices surging 26%. Investors are grappling with energy-driven inflation, narrowing the Federal Reserve’s room to cut rates, according to market maker Wintermute’s latest market update.
Despite global sell-offs, cryptocurrency stands out, with Bitcoin gaining 0.4% while equities, bonds, and gold all decline. The escalation of the conflict shows no signs of slowing down. Initial expectations of a four-week resolution, as touted by the previous President Trump, are now diminishing.
US officials are now indicating that the conflict could take far longer to resolve. In addition, the US has been trying to secure the flow of oil through the Hormuz Strait. Due to logistics and associated high costs, the flow is limited.
This has resulted in Gulf nations, including Aramco, reducing production in certain fields as a result of storage constraints rather than the conflict itself. These dynamics are increasing inflation, further reducing the Fed’s rate-cut plans, now limited to a single 25bps rate cut in Q4 2026.
Crypto’s Resilient Performance
Unlike traditional risk assets, crypto has weathered the storm. Bitcoin’s slight gain contrasts with broader losses: S&P 500 -2.0%, Nasdaq -1.2%, and Russell 2000 -4.0%. ETH remained flat, and altcoins dipped -0.4%. Spot volumes remain light, yet institutional involvement has increased slightly.
Volatility persists, with DVOL fluctuating around the 60s. Put skew remains elevated, but investors are seeking longer-dated calls, anticipating recovery over the next 12–18 months.
Wintermute noted, “Holding strength against a risk-off catalyst is exactly the kind of price behavior that tends to attract attention from investors reconsidering their inflation playbook.” Indeed, Bitcoin’s steadiness highlights its growing narrative as a potential store of value during energy-driven inflationary pressures.
Market Implications
Crypto’s current resilience stems partly from reduced leverage, around $60 billion, roughly half of peak levels. With fewer forced sellers than gold, crypto avoided deeper declines. Analysts suggest the current levels look attractive for long-term investors, with potential buying zones extending down to the low $50,000s.
Furthermore, ongoing adoption announcements within the financial sector are providing steady support, while progress in the US regulatory landscape continues at its usual pace. The FOMC decision next week will be a near-term driver. A hawkish shift could weigh on risk assets, yet crypto’s performance continues to be an anomaly.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
Crypto Market Records Dip While Sentiment Remains Neutral
The global crypto market is undergoing a correction, with a 0.86% drop in total capitalization to $2.41T. Bitcoin and Ethereum fell by 1.21% and 1.33%, respectively. Despite declines in DeFi TVL and NFT sales, some altcoins surged significantly.
BlockChainReporter1h ago
William Blair: After a certain CEX callback, risk is released, and prospects are boosted by USDC growth
Investment bank William Blair said that after a decline in its stock price in the first quarter, a certain CEX has already completed risk clearing, and the market has fully priced in expectations of weak trading volume and revenue. Although the trading data is soft, the impact is limited; the exchange has strengthened its competitiveness through a diversified layout. The stablecoin USDC continues to grow, raising its market share and generating synergistic benefits. Institutional investors are bullish on a market recovery and believe the exchange has upside potential.
GateNews1h ago
BTC 15-minute rise 0.48%: stronger spot buy-side demand combined with shrinking liquidity driving the move
2026-04-13 14:30 to 2026-04-13 14:45 (UTC), BTC saw a +0.48% return within a 0.55% amplitude range (71600.7–71997.0 USDT). During this period, market volatility increased; both spot and on-chain data indicate that short-term capital flows were notably active, market attention rose, and sentiment remains cautious.
The main driver behind this deviation is stronger spot-market buy pressure and the continued net outflow of exchange funds. Specifically, over the past 24 hours, BTC spot trading volume was about $33.15B, compared with the 7-day average
GateNews2h ago
Bitmine gets promoted to the NYSE main board! Tom Lee: US stocks may be at their bottom, and selling pressure on Ether could ease
Bitmine has officially transferred from the NYSE American board to the main board in the United States, marking an important milestone for the company. Despite a significant drop in its share price, it has still increased the share repurchase plan amount to $4.0 billion. The company holds a large amount of Ether, and it expects that a rebound in the crypto market will help improve its assets and share price performance.
CryptoCity3h ago
Gold and silver fall across the board, and the BTC/ETH volatility index rises slightly
On April 13, gold and silver prices fell to $4,732.92 per ounce and $74.209 per ounce, respectively. The BTC volatility index rose by 0.42%, and the ETH volatility index rose by 0.31%. The U.S. dollar versus the Chinese yuan and the Japanese yen edged up slightly, major European stock indexes generally fell, while WTI and Brent crude oil prices rose. The Gate platform supports trading for multiple asset types.
GateNews3h ago
ETH 15-minute rise of 1.24%: On-chain capital outflows and macro risk aversion converge to boost volatility
From 2026-04-13 13:45 to 14:00 (UTC), ETH surged rapidly within a 1.48% amplitude. The price ranged from 2182.61 to 2214.98 USDT, and the return rate in 15 minutes reached +1.24%. This bout of unusual activity has drawn market attention, with active capital inflows and outflows, a marked increase in volatility, and a short-term warming of trading sentiment.
The main driver behind this unusual activity is on-chain capital outflows and changes in the holdings structure. Over the past few weeks, the net positions of the 1k–10k ETH whale cohort and the 10k+ super whale cohort have continued to decline, around April 13, the related
GateNews3h ago
