Bitcoin couldn’t get back above $80,000 and kept sliding, mirroring the drop in US stocks as things heated up around Iran. At the same time, the yen strengthened to around 153 per dollar, with traders on edge after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s comments sparked fresh worries that the carry trade unwind could pick up speed.

Bitcoin and Risk-On Assets Under Pressure

Geopolitical tensions around Iran put a chill on risk appetite: both the number one crypto and US equities fell in lockstep. For BTC, that meant short-term traders got more cautious, and there was less willingness to push for those big round numbers.

Yen Rallies, Carry Trade in Question

Scott Bessent’s remarks fueled fears of a carry trade reversal, sending the yen up to about 153 per dollar. When the Japanese currency gets stronger, it usually means traders start unwinding leveraged risk plays—from stocks to crypto—and that ramps up volatility across markets.

$80,000 Level Still Key for BTC

The $80,000 psychological barrier is still the next big milestone for bitcoin bulls, but the mix of geopolitics, dollar flows, and yen moves is keeping any recovery in check. Traders are watching US indexes and FX swings closely: a stronger yen and higher geopolitical risk usually kill the appetite for risk, making it tough for BTC to confidently reclaim that key level.