Bitcoin price news: BTC rises to $68,000 as traditional markets tumble

CoinDesk

by Helene Braun

March 3, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Bitcoin prices have climbed to $68,000 amidst a broader sell-off in traditional markets as tensions rise in the Middle East. While global stock indices, including the Nasdaq and S&P 500, are down over 2% and European markets like Italy's IBEX 35 and Germany's DAX have fallen sharply, crypto has shown relative resilience. Bitcoin is down 1% in the past day but remains above its earlier lows, with ether, solana, and XRP also stabilizing after initial declines. The article notes that as traditional safe-haven assets like gold and platinum tumble, cryptocurrencies are holding up better despite geopolitical instability and rising yields. James Butterfill of CoinShares highlights Bitcoin's role as a liquid asset trading on weekends during forced risk reduction periods, suggesting this divergence is significant. Unlike previous episodes, the lack of major liquidations in crypto despite market stress points to adjusted positioning among investors. While crypto-related stocks like Robinhood, Coinbase, and others are under pressure, Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies continue to outperform traditional markets. The piece also touches on Circle's stock rally amid oil price spikes and inflation concerns, with Mizuho raising its price target for the company. For readers interested in crypto, this highlights Bitcoin's emerging role as a hedge during crises, offering a potential alternative to traditional safe assets like gold. The resilience of major cryptocurrencies despite global market volatility underscores their growing importance in times of geopolitical uncertainty and economic instability.

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Originally published on CoinDesk on 3/3/2026