Did Bitcoin fail its safe haven test after US strikes on Iran? BlackRock’s 60 day data hints at what comes next

The bitcoin price has rebounded strongly following a weekend of heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with the flagship digital asset surging 7% in early trading to reach over $70,000. The move comes after a volatile weekend that saw bitcoin initially sell off sharply, dipping as low as the low $63,000s, before rebounding back to levels it was at before the news.

According to data from CryptoSlate, bitcoin's price opened the US trading session strongly with a 3% surge above $68,000, marking a significant difference to its initial response to the US strikes on Iran. The digital asset's behavior was more akin to a liquid, around-the-clock risk asset, rather than a traditional safe-haven asset like gold, which rose toward $5,376 an ounce as investors sought protection.

However, BlackRock's 60-day data suggests that bitcoin's safe-haven status may not be entirely lost. While the digital asset's initial response to the US strikes on Iran was lackluster, its subsequent rebound and stabilization above $65,000 may indicate that investors are still willing to view bitcoin as a hedge against market volatility.

Meanwhile, HyperLiquid, a derivatives exchange, has continued to thrive in the bear market, with its monthly trading volume exceeding $200 billion. The exchange's model, which monetizes volatility through perpetual futures, weekend equity trading, and synthetic exposure to commodities, FX, and pre-IPO companies, has proven resilient in the face of market downturns.

In other news, Cake Wallet has launched Bitcoin Lightning Network support with full self-custody and privacy defaults, further enhancing the security and usability of the digital asset. The move is seen as a significant development for bitcoin, which has long been criticized for its scalability and usability issues.

However, not all news is positive for the crypto industry. In the UK, calls are mounting for a ban on political donations made in cryptocurrency, with a former Labour minister arguing that foreign "enemies of democracy" are using crypto donations to undermine British politics.

As the crypto market continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether bitcoin will ultimately prove itself as a safe-haven asset. However, with its strong rebound in the face of geopolitical tensions, the digital asset has once again demonstrated its ability to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing market landscape.