Bitcoin Slides Below $80,000 as US Pulls Personnel From the Middle East Over Iran Threats

Crypto markets came under fresh weekend pressure as bitcoin dropped under $80,000, its lowest point in more than a month. The Btc was down 2.2% over 24 hours at about $79,700 and later recover back to $80k. Ether, XRP and Solana also lost ground, each falling roughly 3% to 4%. Traders are reacting to a sudden rise in geopolitical risk, with prices sinking toward multi week lows as the news spread.

US Evacuates Embassies and Bases Across the Middle East

The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that Washington is rapidly pulling personnel from embassies and military bases throughout the region because intelligence points to Iranian plans to attack Americans. In a Friday memo to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton wrote that Iran has sharply stepped up efforts to target US personnel. He said the deadly plotting has reached advanced stages in the Middle East and in some other countries. The moves go well beyond earlier reports this week that some diplomatic staff in Saudi Arabia were told to leave.

Trump Warns of Another Strike on Iran After the Midterms

President Trump has also threatened to escalate the war with Iran once the early November midterm elections are over. Speaking at a rally in Florida on Friday, he said the US may do another little “Epic Fury.” That warning, together with the evacuations, has pushed investors toward caution and kept risk assets under pressure.