Is it becoming more dominant during times of conflict? As global stock markets and the US dollar fluctuate due to Middle East tensions, Bitcoin spot ETFs have surged by over $1 billion in just three days! The influx of Wall Street capital not only pushed the price above $70,000 but also prompted the market to reevaluate Bitcoin’s true strength as a “safe-haven asset.”
(Background: Has Bitcoin at $72,000 stalled? Funding rates have been negative for two weeks, and open interest is only $20.8 billion — no fuel left.)
(Additional context: Continuing to rise! Bitcoin briefly broke through $74,000, Ethereum surpassed $2,200, and the entire network saw liquidations of $570 million.)
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Amid global focus on Middle East tensions, Bitcoin is quietly proving its value as “digital gold.” Recently, with strong capital inflows from Wall Street institutions, Bitcoin spot ETFs have attracted over $1 billion in just three trading days. This not only drove the price back above $70,000 but also led financial analysts to reconsider Bitcoin’s potential as a “geopolitical safe-haven.”
After experiencing weeks of capital outflows and market sluggishness earlier this year, buying confidence has significantly rebounded. According to ETF tracking firms Farside Investors and CoinGlass, from March 2 to March 4, Bitcoin spot ETFs saw a net inflow of about $1.1 billion.
On March 4 alone, inflows reached $461.9 million, led by BlackRock’s IBIT fund with $306.6 million. This strong institutional buying directly reflected in the price, with Bitcoin soaring to a high of $74,000 within a week.
What’s most notable about this rally isn’t just the price breakout, but the timing. According to Nic Puckrin, a former Goldman Sachs quant and co-founder of Coin Bureau, when gold and oil retreat from highs and global stock markets remain volatile, Bitcoin can rise against the trend, indicating this isn’t just a short squeeze.
Historically, markets debated whether Bitcoin was a high-risk “tech stock” or a store of value “digital gold.” Recently, amid escalating conflicts involving the US, Israel, and Iran, Bitcoin has shown better resilience than traditional assets. Kyle Rodda, senior analyst at Capital.com, notes that Bitcoin has historically risen during geopolitical crises—especially involving Middle East conflicts or sanctions—and this safe-haven correlation seems to be returning.
Beyond geopolitics, the overall economic environment also favors Bitcoin. The market faces risks like the Hormuz Strait crisis, energy supply concerns, and potential tariffs; however, US economic data shows a “Goldilocks” scenario of growth with cooling inflation.
Michael Brown, senior strategist at Pepperstone, explains that after initial panic selling, markets are stabilizing and risk appetite is returning. Notably, despite tense global tensions, the US dollar index is weakening, indicating reduced traditional safe-haven flows into the dollar. In this environment of capital seeking exits, Bitcoin’s strong performance naturally draws attention.
In summary, Bitcoin’s recent independent movement amid global turmoil supports its narrative as a safe-haven asset. But can this trend last? According to blockchain analytics firm Glassnode, as Bitcoin stabilizes above $70,000, selling pressure is easing, and ETF fund flows have turned positive. Whether Wall Street continues to pour funds into Bitcoin ETFs in the coming days will be crucial in confirming if its status as a “digital safe haven” is truly solidified.