Bitcoin climbed above $73,000 on Thursday morning Asia time, posting its strongest single-day gain in weeks as investors rotated into digital assets amid continued Middle East tensions and renewed optimism around U.S. stablecoin legislation.
The largest cryptocurrency rose 7.29% to $73,255, while Ethereum gained 8.15% to $2,140. The rally lifted crypto-linked equities, with Coinbase (COIN) surging more than 15% after reports that US President Donald Trump met with CEO Brian Armstrong to discuss regulatory policy.
The broader equity market also recovered from Tuesday's conflict-driven selloff. The S&P 500 closed up 0.78% at 6,869.50, while the Nasdaq Composite added 1.29%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged, slipping 0.12%.
Regulatory Tailwinds
Wednesday's crypto rally was fueled in part by speculation that the Clarity Act — the administration's flagship stablecoin legislation — is nearing passage. Trump publicly backed the crypto industry over traditional banks in the ongoing dispute over whether stablecoins should be permitted to offer yield to holders, a key provision that banking lobbyists have opposed.
"The president made clear he supports innovation over incumbent protection," one person familiar with the meeting told reporters.
Coinbase's 15% jump marked its best session since November 2024. Strategy (MSTR), the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, rose 6.7%, while Circle (CRCL) continued its climb – now up almost 30% this week – ahead of any legislative clarity on stablecoin reserves.
Geopolitical Bid
The rally also reflected Bitcoin's resurgent appeal as a geopolitical hedge. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed to tanker traffic following Iran's escalation, oil prices have spiked and inflation expectations are rising. Gold futures hit $5,194, up 1.7%, while silver gained 4%.
Bitcoin, which had fallen roughly 50% from its October 2025 highs prior to the conflict, has outperformed traditional safe havens in recent sessions. Analysts pointed to the "digital gold" narrative regaining traction as fiscal expansion fears mount.
"War means spending. Spending means deficits. Deficits mean debasement," one macro strategist wrote on X. "Hard assets win."
Adding to sentiment, the New York Times reported that Iranian officials had contacted the CIA through back channels to discuss ceasefire terms — a signal that the conflict's most acute phase may be limited.
What to Watch
Market participants are focused on the duration of the Hormuz disruption, with Goldman Sachs modelling an additional $15 per barrel in oil prices if the strait remains closed for a month. For crypto, the key near-term catalyst remains the Clarity Act vote and whether yield-bearing stablecoin provisions survive banking lobby opposition.
Bitcoin dominance stands at 59.6%, suggesting altcoin participation remains muted despite the rally.
