The Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) price currently stands at US$72,518.
That sees the world’s first and biggest crypto up 9.6% over the past week. A week that sees the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) down 1.1%.
As for the token’s performance following the United States and Israel’s airstrikes on Iran on 28 February and the ensuing broader Middle East conflict, Bitcoin’s price is up around 10.5%. Bitcoin was trading for around US$65,600 before news of the attack broke.
Interestingly, the gold price has gone the other direction. Gold is currently trading for US$5,023 per ounce, down around 5% since the outbreak of the fighting.
Still, the gold price is up more than 67% over 12 months, while Bitcoin has tumbled around 14% over this time.
And despite the past week’s rebound, the world’s top crypto by market cap remains down more than 42% from its 7 October all-time high of US$126,199.
What the experts are saying about the Bitcoin price amid the Iran conflict
With the Bitcoin price up some 10% since the initial missile attack on Iran, a number of analysts say the digital token is beginning to live up to its haven promise.
According to Alex Kuptsikevich, chief market analyst at FxPro (quoted by Bloomberg):
It appears that Bitcoin is beginning to attract attention as a safe-haven asset, rising amid volatility in financial markets. The bulls are clearly trying to stir up the market to trigger a new short squeeze during the weekend, a period of reduced volatility.
Cici Lu McCalman, principal consultant and founder of Venn Link Partners, added:
Bitcoin has shown notable resilience, rebounding above $70,000 after briefly dipping below $63,000 during the initial risk unwind on Iran war. While the recovery is encouraging, price action still looks more like stabilisation than a full confidence to risk-on positioning.
As for further potential increases in the Bitcoin price, crypto investors may need to see some calm return to global energy markets and the broader geopolitical outlook.
“The macro backdrop remains unsettled, with oil volatility and lingering geopolitical uncertainty keeping risk sentiment cautious in the short term,” Rachael Lucas, an analyst at BTC Markets, said.
How about Ethereum?
Like the Bitcoin price, the Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) price has outperformed gold and global equities since the outset of the Iran conflict.
On 28 February, Ethereum was trading for US$1,950. Today, the world’s number two token is fetching US$2,171, up more than 11% since the fighting began.
But the Ethereum price remains down more than 56% since notching its own all-time high of US$4,954 on 25 August.
The post Why is the Bitcoin price outperforming amid the Middle East conflict? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
Should you invest $1,000 in Big Tom Coin right now?
Before you buy Big Tom Coin shares, consider this:
Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Big Tom Coin wasn’t one of them.
The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…
* Returns as of 20 Feb 2026
.custom-cta-button p {
margin-bottom: 0 !important;
}
More reading
Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Bitcoin and Ethereum. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Bitcoin and Ethereum. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.