News View Non-AMP

Why Is Bitcoin Holding Up? Iran War, Oil Shock, Recession Risk, Weakened Dollar

Published by
Zafar Naik and Nidhi Kolhapur

Bitcoin has gained roughly 8% since the US-Iran war began. Gold is down. The S&P 500 is down. Asian equities had their worst stretch since 2020. For an asset that critics still call speculative, that’s a result worth paying attention to.

Bitcoin investor and BnkToTheFuture founder Simon Dixon thinks he knows why and his explanation goes deeper than crypto.

The Dollar Needs the World

When Trump posted on Truth Social that “the USA needs nothing from NATO,” Dixon responded with a point-by-point breakdown of what the US actually depends on.

Europe prints money, buys American weapons and recycles Eurodollars back to Washington. The Middle East keeps oil priced in dollars. Japan runs near-zero interest rates that finance hedge funds. China manufactures the goods that keep global trade flowing. The Global South supplies the minerals the whole system runs on.

Dixon’s conclusion: “If that ends, then US shrinks to a regional power and the financial industrial complex tightens its control and grip on both US and EU.”

He added that European banks are deeply connected to US banks, meaning any financial stress from a prolonged energy shock will be global.

The War Is Already Testing That System

Iran this week rejected Trump’s 15-point ceasefire proposal as “extremely maximalist and unreasonable,” countering with demands for Strait of Hormuz sovereignty and war reparations – both non-starters for Washington. The war is now in its 26th day.

Brent crude is trading around $107, up nearly 48% in a month. JPMorgan has cut its S&P 500 year-end forecast. Goldman Sachs raised its recession odds to 30%, warning that oil-driven inflation could keep the Fed from cutting rates. Former Goldman CEO Lloyd Blankfein said this week that the damage from the war “is going to last” even if there were “a resolution tomorrow”.

This is precisely the environment Dixon was describing – the dollar system under strain, alliances fraying, energy prices doing the damage that no rate policy can easily fix.

Why Bitcoin Keeps Recovering

Bitcoin dropped 8.5% on February 28 when Operation Epic Fury launched on a Saturday – the only major market open to absorb the shock. Since then, it has made a higher low on every escalation, recovering faster each time.

The dollar system Dixon describes was built on trust, recycled debt and geopolitical arrangements that are now openly contested. Bitcoin doesn’t need any of that to function. Right now, that distinction is showing up in the price.

FAQs

How does the US-Iran war impact gold and stocks?

Gold and equities fell while oil prices surged, reflecting market stress. Traditional assets face volatility, unlike Bitcoin’s independent recovery.

Can Bitcoin act as a safe haven during conflicts?

Yes. Bitcoin’s borderless design and limited supply attract investors seeking an alternative to traditional markets during wars and crises.

How have markets reacted to rising oil prices and war risks?

Oil surged 48% in a month, S&P 500 forecasts dropped, and inflation risks rose. Bitcoin, however, rebounded faster with each escalation.

Zafar Naik and Nidhi Kolhapur

Zafar is a seasoned crypto and blockchain news writer with four years of experience. Known for accuracy, in-depth analysis, and a clear, engaging style, Zafar actively participates in blockchain communities. Beyond writing, Zafar enjoys trading and exploring the latest trends in the crypto market.

Recent Posts

USDT0 Targets $20M Transfers as Ethereum-Tron Liquidity Grows

USDT0 is pushing deeper into cross-chain stablecoin infrastructure, with more than 80% of its USDT…

September 24, 2026

Ripple CEO Says Buy The Top Five Cryptocurrencies; Refuses To Call Solana A Rival To XRP

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse says the simplest crypto strategy right now is straightforward, buy the…

September 24, 2026

Can Ethereum Price Reclaim the $2,800 Level Soon?

The Ethereum price has cooled from $2,800 toward $2,660, but network activity isn't showing the…

September 24, 2026

Bitcoin Price Today: BTC Holds 50-Week Average Amid Bond Market Turmoil

Bitcoin slipped toward $83,800 this week. However, an analyst says there is no need to…

September 24, 2026

New York Sues Polymarket for Illegal Gambling Operation After Kalshi

New York Attorney General Letitia James has sued Polymarket, accusing its U.S. business of running…

September 24, 2026

NEAR Price Breaks Falling Wedge Backed by Zcash Usage, Will It Push Toward $6?

The NEAR price has finally escaped a falling wedge that controlled its market structure since…

September 24, 2026