Cryptocurrency markets experienced a dramatic rebound on Monday evening after former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Israel and Iran had agreed to a “complete and total” ceasefire. The unexpected news came after nearly two weeks of escalating military conflict, which had rattled global markets and stoked fears of a wider regional war.
Trump Announces Ceasefire Between Israel and Iran
In a highly publicized post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Donald Trump declared that Israel and Iran had agreed to end hostilities through a temporary truce. According to Trump, the ceasefire would come into effect “in approximately six hours,” allowing both nations time to complete their “in progress, final missions.”
“It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE,” Trump wrote. “At which point the war will be considered, ENDED!”
This ceasefire, if successful, would mark the conclusion of what Trump dubbed the “12-Day War,” a short but intense period of military operations involving air strikes, missile attacks, and high-stakes international diplomacy. Trump praised the courage and stamina of both nations for choosing diplomacy over destruction and framed the announcement as a major win for global peace.
However, as of the time of this writing, no official confirmation has been issued by the Israeli or Iranian governments, and tensions on the ground remained palpable. Independent verification of the ceasefire agreement is still pending, raising questions about the durability and authenticity of the announcement.
Background: Weekend Escalation and Military Strikes
Trump’s announcement followed a violent weekend in the Middle East. Late Saturday night, U.S. military forces launched strategic air strikes against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, including reported hits on key facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. According to U.S. defense officials, the strikes were designed to disrupt Iran’s nuclear capabilities and deter further aggression in the region.
Iran responded swiftly. On Monday morning, it launched a retaliatory missile attack targeting the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East. The operation was dubbed “Besharat al-Faith” by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who described the attack as a “mighty and victorious” act of retaliation.
Residents in Doha reported explosions and visible interceptor missiles in the skies as air defenses worked to neutralize the incoming threat. According to statements from both U.S. and Qatari officials, all missiles were intercepted, and no casualties or infrastructure damage were reported at the air base.
Crypto Markets React: Bitcoin and Ethereum Rally Sharply
As soon as news of a potential ceasefire broke, cryptocurrency markets surged in response to the perceived easing of geopolitical risk.
Bitcoin (BTC)
- Price surged over 5%, topping $105,000, according to data from CoinGecko.
- This rebound nearly erased the weekend’s losses when Bitcoin had dropped below $100,000 after news of U.S. airstrikes in Iran.
- By Monday evening, Bitcoin was trading at approximately $105,550, closing in on Friday’s levels before the volatility began.
Ethereum (ETH)
- Ethereum climbed back above $2,400, registering a nearly 9% gain in 24 hours.
- The asset had previously dipped by 10% on Sunday, but quickly reversed course following Trump’s announcement.
Altcoins Also Surge
Other major digital assets also saw strong upward momentum:
- Solana (SOL): Up 11%
- Dogecoin (DOGE): Up 10%
- XRP and Cardano (ADA): Both rose around 9%
The price movement across these digital assets reflects not only renewed market optimism but also a highly volatile trading environment where speculative positions are being liquidated at a rapid pace.
Liquidations Soar Amid Market Volatility
According to data from CoinGlass, the sharp upward price movement in crypto markets led to roughly $491 million worth of positions being liquidated over a 24-hour period. A majority of these were short positions—bets that the market would continue to fall—which accounted for an estimated $376 million in losses.
Here’s a breakdown of the major liquidations:
- Bitcoin: ~$161 million
- Ethereum: ~$140 million
These figures underscore the heightened volatility in the market, with large numbers of traders caught off guard by the sudden reversal in sentiment. The surge in liquidations suggests that institutional and retail investors alike were heavily leveraged going into the weekend, betting on continued downward pressure.
Traditional Markets Also Rebound on Ceasefire Hopes
It wasn’t just the crypto sector that responded to the ceasefire news. Global financial markets, including equities and commodities, reacted positively as traders began to price in the possibility of reduced geopolitical tension in the Middle East.
Oil Prices Drop
- Global oil benchmarks, including Brent Crude and WTI, fell by 3–5%, as traders discounted the risk of a long-term disruption in Gulf supply chains.
- Concerns over potential blockades of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial chokepoint for global oil exports, began to subside.
Stock Futures Rise
- U.S. equity futures turned positive after Trump’s announcement, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq showing signs of strength.
- Asian and European markets also opened higher, reflecting a broader risk-on sentiment across financial markets.
Currency Market Movements
- The U.S. dollar weakened slightly against riskier currencies like the Australian and New Zealand dollars, as traders moved funds into higher-yielding assets.
- The Japanese yen and Swiss franc, traditionally considered safe havens, retreated slightly on news of the ceasefire.
Investor Outlook: Temporary Relief or Turning Point?
Despite the optimism, experts warn that the situation remains highly fluid. The lack of official confirmation from either Israel or Iran raises doubts about whether hostilities have truly ended. As of Tuesday morning, scattered military engagements and air raid alerts were still being reported in some regions, including southern Israel.
Crypto traders and traditional investors alike are now watching for:
- Official ceasefire statements from involved governments.
- Follow-up military activity that may signal continuation or breakdown of the truce.
- Further economic sanctions or international diplomacy that could affect regional stability.
Meanwhile, users on Myriad, a blockchain-based prediction market, placed a 79% probability on Bitcoin staying above $100,000 through June 27. This bullish outlook reflects growing confidence, but market analysts advise caution, especially given the fast-changing nature of the situation.
- Trump announced that Israel and Iran have agreed to a 12-hour ceasefire, sparking a rally in global markets.
- Bitcoin rebounded to over $105K, with Ethereum and other altcoins also seeing major gains.
- Nearly $500 million in crypto trades were liquidated, largely driven by short positions.
- Traditional markets rallied: oil prices dropped, equities rose, and global currencies shifted.
- Tensions remain, as Israel and Iran have not independently confirmed the ceasefire.
As traders navigate the aftermath of this volatile episode, the coming days will determine whether this truce truly signals the end of military escalation—or just a temporary pause.
