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On February 28, 2026, the U.S. and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran to target military bases, missile sites, and suspected nuclear facilities in Tehran and other cities. President Trump described the operation as “massive and ongoing,” aimed at dismantling Iran’s missile and nuclear programs and reducing threats to regional security. Israel declared a nationwide emergency, warning of potential Iranian retaliation. In response, Iran vowed a “crushing response” and closed its airspace. Explosions and smoke in Tehran sparked global concern, sending shockwaves through markets as Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies fell sharply amid rising Middle East tensions.

Cryptocurrency markets are falling sharply as geopolitical and financial pressures collide. Bitcoin fell sharply to $63,000 after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered panic across global markets. Nearly $75 billion was wiped from crypto’s total value, with over 154,000 traders liquidated and $522 million in forced closures, mostly long positions. BTC futures volume surged to $76 billion, showing heavy leveraged selling rather than organic exits. The total crypto market cap dropped 5.5% to $2.21 trillion as rising war tensions fueled uncertainty and risk-off sentiment.

President Trump announced and ordered a large-scale U.S. military assault against Iran, with explosions reported in Tehran as Israel carried out coordinated strikes on Iranian regime targets. Trump described the action as necessary to neutralize Iran’s nuclear threat and weaken its military, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the mission “Lion’s Roar.” Smoke was seen over government buildings and suspected nuclear-related sites near Parchin, and Iranian officials vowed swift retaliation as missile alerts sounded across Israel. Some opposition figures welcomed the offensive, while global leaders watched closely for escalation.

Bitcoin fell 6.25% to $63,442 in 24 hours, hit by a wave of liquidations and growing risk aversion across markets. About $87.8 million in BTC positions were wiped out as funding rates turned negative, signaling heavy leveraged selling. Heavy liquidations, nearly $100 million in long positions, were triggered when prices slid, flushing out leveraged traders. The decline also follows broader crypto weakness and rising geopolitical tensions between Iran and Israel, adding to global market uncertainty. If Bitcoin fails to reclaim $66,307, it could retest support near $60,074. Read More About the US-Iran War: Live Updates

Bitcoin dropped to around $63,000 after reports of an Israeli strike on Iran escalated geopolitical tensions and rattled global markets. The sudden risk-off reaction triggered over $100 million in leveraged long liquidations within minutes, amplifying the downside move. Crypto markets saw a sharp spike in volatility as traders reduced exposure, with derivatives funding rates flipping and open interest declining. The move highlights Bitcoin’s sensitivity to geopolitical risk, with volatility rising sharply during unexpected global events.

Tether has frozen roughly $4.2 billion in USDT linked to illegal activities, including $3.5 billion since 2023. Recently, the company helped the U.S. Department of Justice block $61 million connected to “pig-butchering” scams. With a total circulating supply now above $180 billion, Tether can remotely freeze tokens in user wallets when requested by authorities, demonstrating how stablecoins can play a role in combating crypto-related crime.

Billionaire investor Grant Cardone says his company, Cardone Capital, is preparing to tokenise about $5 billion in U.S. real estate assets, aiming to turn property equity into digital tokens that can improve liquidity and act as collateral in secondary markets. The firm is exploring Layer 2 blockchain partners to support high‑volume token issuance and lower transaction costs as part of a broader strategy that includes holding Bitcoin. This push reflects growing interest in real estate tokenisation, projected to expand significantly despite regulatory hurdles.

ZKsync has announced that ZKsync Lite will be retired on May 4, 2026, with block production stopping and the network’s final state permanently frozen to ensure balances cannot change. Launched as a payment-focused ZK-rollup, ZKsync Lite helped demonstrate the potential of zero-knowledge technology, but the project is now concentrating on newer chains and the broader zkSync ecosystem. Users can still claim their funds, and other ZKsync systems will continue operating without disruption.

South Korea’s National Tax Service accidentally exposed the recovery seed phrase of a seized crypto wallet in a public press release photo, leading attackers to drain about $4.8 million worth of PRTG tokens shortly afterward. The leaked seed phrase gave full control of the wallet, allowing transfers to unknown addresses within hours. Experts say the mistake highlights serious gaps in how authorities handle and secure sensitive digital asset information, raising concerns about institutional readiness for crypto regulation and custody.

The UK Gambling Commission is exploring allowing cryptocurrency payments for bets, starting discussions on how digital assets could be used by licensed gambling operators in the country. This move comes as the Financial Conduct Authority advances its digital asset regulatory framework, with new crypto rules expected to take effect by October 2027, and could open the door for gambling firms to seek crypto‑related licences under the updated regime. Regulators say the change could help protect consumers and reduce illegal gambling, though challenges like anti‑money laundering checks and crypto volatility remain key concerns.