Bitcoin experienced a rare surge in value, with “green candles” appearing on charts, as a reported peace deal between former President Donald Trump and Iran appeared to inject momentum into the market. Simultaneously, preparations for cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in Japan signal substantial institutional inflows are on the horizon. Adding to the day’s notable events, a White House-hosted UFC event is slated to highlight Trump’s characteristic flair.
Bitcoin climbed back above the $65,000 mark, reaching $65,800 earlier today, while Ethereum reclaimed $1,700. These gains contributed approximately $60 billion to the total cryptocurrency market capitalization, occurring amidst nearly $250 million in liquidations of short positions.
The reported Trump-Iran peace agreement, which reportedly extends a ceasefire by 60 days, reopens the Strait of Hormuz, lifts the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports, and permits Iran to resume oil exports, appears to be driving Bitcoin’s ascent. Iran has also reaffirmed its commitment not to pursue nuclear weapons, with negotiations commencing over its enriched uranium stockpile under international supervision.
The Four-Point Trump-Iran Peace Deal
According to Senator JD Vance, the proposed deal includes the following provisions:
- Preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
- Immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
- Lifting the U.S. naval blockade.
- Unlocking significant investment across the region.
The agreement, announced by Iran today following repeated statements from Trump, could potentially re-establish global oil flows and represent the most significant de-escalation in the region since the conflict began. Oil prices saw a decline on the news, providing a clear boost to risk assets such as cryptocurrencies.
The Iran deal propelled Bitcoin above the $65,000 level in under 30 minutes, coinciding with the Japan vs. Netherlands World Cup game. Trump’s consistent pressure and public commentary are credited with paving the way, as markets began to price in reduced geopolitical risk. Iran’s own announcement today further shifted the uncertainty, creating a bullish sentiment for the market.
Japan’s Crypto ETF Preparations
Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) is reportedly preparing for the launch of spot cryptocurrency ETFs and investment trusts. Major financial institutions including SBI, Rakuten, Nomura, Daiwa, SMBC, and Mizuho are understood to be developing new products. The country currently has 13 million cryptocurrency accounts holding an estimated $34 billion, with potential tax reductions from 55% to 20%. Analysts project that the Japanese crypto ETF market could attract approximately $6.4 billion in inflows once launched.
While the Bank of Japan’s recent interest rate hike could exert short-term pressure on risk assets by increasing borrowing costs, the forthcoming Japan crypto ETF launches are expected to act as a significant counterforce. These launches are anticipated to attract fresh institutional capital and lend greater legitimacy to the cryptocurrency sector. The combination of lower taxes and regulated products could accelerate both retail and corporate adoption.
Trump Family’s Crypto Ventures and White House Event
Meanwhile, in the United States, the current administration has spent months advocating for pro-crypto policies, supporting Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, and even exploring the concept of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. Concurrently, projects associated with the Trump family have continued to find avenues to capitalize on the industry’s growth. Through World Liberty Financial (WLFI), the family reportedly has exposure to token sales, stablecoin revenue, and speculative trading.
While these activities do not inherently prove wrongdoing, they present a complex scenario where Trump is a prominent political advocate for cryptocurrency while also appearing to be a significant beneficiary.
The White House UFC event serves as a notable example. Trump’s understanding of attention dynamics is well-established, and cryptocurrency markets are heavily influenced by it. The White House is hosting a UFC event where World Liberty Financial will contribute $250,000 in USD1 stablecoins to the UFC Freedom 250 fight-night bonus pool. The event is scheduled to take place on the White House South Lawn, coinciding with President Trump’s 80th birthday, and will feature USD1 branding within the Octagon.
Regardless of the specific outcomes, Trump’s cryptocurrency ventures have reportedly performed well, while many retail investors have faced losses. This situation has led some observers to view the ecosystem less as a political movement and more as an “extraction machine.”
Regulatory Developments and Market Movements
Beyond the White House activities, the cryptocurrency industry continues to evolve. Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, and Crypto.com have delisted USDT for European Union users as the Markets in Crypto-Asset (MiCA) regulations come into effect. Tether’s decision to forgo the licensing process has created short-term challenges, though the market has largely perceived it as a regulatory hurdle.
In parallel, Senator Cynthia Lummis remains a proponent of clearer cryptocurrency regulations, emphasizing the necessity of regulation to protect investors rather than solely benefiting the industry.
Charles Hoskinson has also addressed controversy surrounding a 1,096 BTC payment linked to Cardano’s 2016 crowdsale audit. The Bitcoin, valued at less than half a million dollars at the time, is now worth approximately $70 million, a situation Hoskinson described as a “painful but necessary” operation.
While markets are currently benefiting from easing geopolitical tensions, Donald Trump remains a dominant narrative in the cryptocurrency space. Bitcoin was envisioned to eliminate the need for powerful intermediaries. However, a significant bullish argument for crypto in 2026 appears to be the fact that the President of the United States has become one of its most effective promoters.
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