Gate News reports that U.S. President Donald Trump stated during a prime-time address on Wednesday that the U.S. military will complete its “core strategic mission” against Iran within two to three weeks, and he claimed that the Strait of Hormuz would “naturally open” after the conflict. However, Trump did not specify the implementation mechanisms and instead urged allies in the region to “occupy and protect,” which led to a cautious market response.
Following the announcement, Brent crude oil prices surged above $105 per barrel, having briefly broken through $102. Gold prices fell below $4,700 per ounce. U.S. stock futures generally declined: S&P 500 index futures dropped 0.54%, and Nasdaq index futures fell 0.66%. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury rose to 4.36%, approaching 4.40%. Bitcoin also retreated to $67,336, down about 0.9% over the past 24 hours, after reaching a high of $69,135 earlier.
Market risk-averse sentiment significantly increased. South Korea’s KOSPI declined by 2%, while the defense sector was active. The optimistic tone of Trump’s remarks contrasts with the actual situation on the ground, causing crypto investors to remain cautious about the short-term outlook for cryptocurrencies and other risk assets.
Iran’s stance remains firm. Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi stated that “trust is zero,” while the parliament continues to draft a fee plan for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, intending to charge a combination of stablecoins and the Chinese yuan, with a maximum of $2 million per vessel per crossing. This indicates that the situation remains uncertain in the short term, and geopolitical tensions could continue to influence the price volatility of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other crypto assets.
Analysts pointed out that Trump’s optimistic statements have failed to ease market concerns, and crypto investors should continue to monitor the evolving tensions in the Middle East and their potential impact on oil prices, the stock market, and liquidity flows into risk assets.