Bitcoin has moved decisively above the 73,000$ level, continuing to show resilience despite geopolitical instability linked to the conflict with Iran.

The move is particularly notable because some macro analysts had expected a much sharper correction under such conditions.

In a recent discussion on the “What Bitcoin Did” podcast, investment strategist Luke Gromen said that only two weeks earlier he would have expected Bitcoin to trade closer to 55,000$ rather than remain near recent highs.

One possible explanation, according to Gromen, is that Bitcoin may be benefiting from capital flight out of unstable regions, reinforcing its role as a potential digital alternative to gold.

At the same time, Gromen remains cautious. He previously reduced his Bitcoin exposure near the 95,000$ area, pointing to several concerns:

• weaker historical relative strength versus gold

• selling pressure from large long-term holders

• limited confirmation from macro liquidity conditions

In his view, a more convincing bullish case for Bitcoin would require clearer monetary easing and stronger liquidity expansion.

A similar perspective has also been expressed by Arthur Hayes, who recently said he would rather wait than allocate new capital to Bitcoin immediately.

The current market structure therefore presents a mixed picture:

• Bitcoin is showing clear resilience

• the “digital gold” narrative is strengthening

The cryptocurrency market recorded moderate gains this week, with Bitcoin trading above the 71,500$ level and the total market capitalization reaching approximately 2.43 trillion dollars.

Key weekly performance:

• Bitcoin (BTC): +6.9%

• Ethereum (ETH): +7.6%

• BNB: +7.0%

• XRP: +4.7%

Institutional demand continues to play an important role in market dynamics. Bitcoin ETFs recorded 583 million dollars in inflows, while Ethereum ETFs attracted 90.7 million dollars.

However, analysts caution that the current market recovery appears to be largely technical. Many leading cryptocurrencies remain within narrow trading ranges, suggesting that the market has not yet established a clear directional trend.

Macroeconomic factors remain a major source of uncertainty. Rising energy prices linked to geopolitical tensions could slow global economic growth and increase inflationary pressure. At the same time, the Federal Reserve continues to face a complex policy environment, as inflation remains above its 2% target while labor market indicators show signs of cooling.

Two additional developments may influence the crypto sector:

• The U.S. Senate approved legislation that effectively blocks the Federal Reserve from issuing a CBDC until 2030.

• BlackRock launched the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust (ETHB), a new ETF designed to capture staking rewards from Ethereum.

Despite recent gains, sentiment indicators such as the Crypto Fear & Greed Index remain in the “Extreme Fear” zone, suggesting that investor confidence has yet to fully recover.

Mastercard is taking another major step toward integrating blockchain technology into the global financial system.

The company recently announced the Mastercard Crypto Partner Program, which brings together more than 85 crypto-native companies, payment processors, and financial institutions.

The goal of the initiative is to develop scalable, real-world solutions for on-chain payments, B2B transfers, and cross-border settlements.

The financial industry is increasingly moving beyond the experimental stage of digital assets. Instead of focusing primarily on speculative trading, institutions are now exploring how blockchain can improve the efficiency of payment infrastructure.

Mastercard aims to combine the programmability of blockchain technology with its existing global payment network to streamline settlement processes and international transfers.

Participants in the program will collaborate with Mastercard teams to transform emerging blockchain innovations into compliant and market-ready financial products.

The initiative also strengthens Mastercard’s strategy of positioning itself as a bridge between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized technologies.

Industry observers believe this shift reflects a broader structural transformation. As Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan recently noted, many analysts now expect that future financial infrastructure will increasingly run on blockchain rails.

Mastercard is taking another major step toward integrating blockchain technology into the global financial system.

The company recently announced the Mastercard Crypto Partner Program, which brings together more than 85 crypto-native companies, payment processors, and financial institutions.

The goal of the initiative is to develop scalable, real-world solutions for on-chain payments, B2B transfers, and cross-border settlements.

The financial industry is increasingly moving beyond the experimental stage of digital assets. Instead of focusing primarily on speculative trading, institutions are now exploring how blockchain can improve the efficiency of payment infrastructure.

Mastercard aims to combine the programmability of blockchain technology with its existing global payment network to streamline settlement processes and international transfers.

Participants in the program will collaborate with Mastercard teams to transform emerging blockchain innovations into compliant and market-ready financial products.

The initiative also strengthens Mastercard’s strategy of positioning itself as a bridge between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized technologies.

Industry observers believe this shift reflects a broader structural transformation. As Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan recently noted, many analysts now expect that future financial infrastructure will increasingly run on blockchain rails.

Recent on-chain data suggests that the XRP market is currently experiencing a period of unusually low activity.

According to analytics from CryptoQuant, deposits and withdrawals of XRP on major exchanges have dropped to their lowest levels on record, indicating a significant decline in investor participation.

The broader crypto market environment remains cautious. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index continues to signal extreme fear, while many investors appear to be waiting for clearer market direction.

At the same time, blockchain data highlights growing activity among large investors.

Since the beginning of the year, approximately 4.8 billion XRP has been transferred to major exchanges, with a large portion of these movements directed toward Binance.

Notably, around 450 million XRP has been moved to the exchange since the start of March.

Large transfers of this scale are often interpreted as a potential signal of upcoming market volatility, as whales may be preparing to rebalance positions or take advantage of future price movements.

Efforts to establish a clear regulatory framework for the cryptocurrency industry in the United States may be gaining momentum again.

Several U.S. senators are reportedly working on a compromise proposal aimed at resolving one of the key disputes surrounding the CLARITY Act, the long-discussed crypto market structure bill.

The initiative, led by Senators Angela Alsobrooks and Thom Tillis, focuses on the controversial issue of stablecoin yields.

Under the proposed compromise:

• Stablecoin issuers would not be permitted to pay interest on stored balances

• However, activity-based rewards linked to platform usage could be allowed

The goal is to balance innovation in the digital asset sector with protections for the traditional banking system.

Banks have long argued that interest-bearing stablecoins could divert deposits away from regulated financial institutions. Crypto companies, on the other hand, claim such restrictions would limit technological innovation.

The debate is also occurring in a broader political context, as U.S. President Donald Trump recently stated he will prioritize the Save America Act, a separate election reform bill, before approving new legislation.

The U.S. dollar is displaying mixed movements against major global currencies as investors react to geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic data.

Current market dynamics show:

• USD strengthening against the Japanese yen

• USD weakening against the British pound

• mixed performance against the euro

Geopolitical developments remain a key factor. Iran’s continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of global oil supply passes, has raised concerns about energy market disruptions and global inflation pressures.

Analysts warn that if the conflict continues for several months, it could contribute to stagflation risks in major economies.

Markets are also awaiting the release of U.S. CPI data, which is expected to show inflation remaining around 2.4% annually, still above the Federal Reserve’s target.

Despite weaker labor market data, many Federal Reserve officials currently favor maintaining current monetary policy levels. Some policymakers have even indicated that additional tightening could be considered if inflationary pressure persists.

At the same time, central banks in other regions are also facing policy challenges:

• The ECB is monitoring energy-driven inflation risks

• The Bank of Japan may tighten policy later this year

• The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to raise rates again

Bitcoin continues to trade just below the 70,000$ level, showing resilience despite geopolitical uncertainty and macroeconomic pressures.

Over the past 24 hours, BTC has declined slightly by around 0.3%, while the broader crypto market is showing similar consolidation dynamics.

Ethereum, for example, is maintaining the 2,000$ support zone, while most large-cap cryptocurrencies remain relatively stable.

Several factors are currently influencing the market:

• continued inflows into Bitcoin spot ETFs

• stabilization in global oil prices

• anticipation of U.S. inflation data

Institutional demand remains visible. On Tuesday, Bitcoin ETFs recorded more than 250 million dollars in inflows, bringing total monthly inflows close to 1 billion dollars.

Meanwhile, oil prices have cooled significantly after reports that G7 countries may release strategic reserves, easing concerns about supply disruptions following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The next key catalyst will be the U.S. CPI report, which markets are closely watching for signals about Federal Reserve policy.

If inflation remains above the 2% target, the Fed may delay interest rate cuts. Current market expectations place the first potential rate reduction around September.