NEWS / Crypto

Bitcoin Hit $73,000 After the Ceasefire. Then the Talks Fell Apart

Published Apr 12, 2026

Share:

Summary:

Bitcoin jumped from about $68,000 to $73,000 after the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, wiping out nearly $600 million in short bets.
The rally was powered by a short squeeze - traders betting against BTC got forced out as prices climbed 5% in a day.
After JD Vance said talks failed on April 12, bitcoin slid back below $71,000.

The ceasefire sent bitcoin flying. The collapse of talks brought it back down.

Bitcoin ran from about $68,000 to a high of $73,000 in the days after the U.S. and Iran agreed to pause on April 8. The move wiped out nearly $600 million in short bets - traders who were banking on a drop got crushed.

What Drove the Move

Oil crashed more than 10% on the ceasefire news, and risk assets jumped across the board. Bitcoin got an extra boost from a short squeeze - when rising prices force bearish traders to buy back in, which pushes the price up even more.

The rally put bitcoin above its key moving averages for the first time in weeks. That same week, Morgan Stanley launched its spot Bitcoin ETF, pulling in $34 million on day one.

Then It Reversed

On April 12, Vice President Vance said the talks with Iran had failed. Trump followed by declaring a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Bitcoin dropped below $71,000.

The picture has shifted. Before the ceasefire, bitcoin was stuck under $70,000. The rally proved there are buyers above that line - but holding it needs calm on the world stage.

What to Watch

TD Cowen says bitcoin could hit $140,000 by late 2026 if things cool down. If they don't, $68,000 is the next floor. Right now, bitcoin is trading on headlines - not charts.

Get Market Briefs delivered to your inbox every morning for free!

No fluff. No noise. No politics. Just finance news you can read in 5 minutes.

Recent News

June 17, 2026

Genesis AI Just Unveiled A Robot With No Head And No Legs

June 17, 2026

US-Iran Deal To Reopen The Strait Of Hormuz Sends Crop Prices Lower

June 17, 2026

Russia's Oil Exports Just Hit A 2026 High As Ukraine Hits Its Refineries

1 2 3 … 829 Next »

Blogs

What Are Penny Stocks? Risks and Rewards Explained

By Milena Thomas

Penny stocks are very low-priced shares of very small companies, often trading for just a few dollars or less.
They promise huge gains but carry huge risks: low liquidity, high failure rates, and wild price swings.
Most investors are better served by quality companies and funds than by chasing cheap shares.

Best Stocks for Beginners With Little Money

By Nate Gregory

The best stocks for beginners with little money usually aren't individual stocks at all - they're low-cost index funds.
You can start with $100 or less and use small, regular investments to build wealth over time.
Focus on diversification and consistency, not on picking the next big winner.

Tech Stocks: A Simple Guide for New Investors

By Jackson Moreland

Tech stocks are companies in the information technology and related sectors, from software to chips to the internet giants.
They've driven much of the market's growth, but they can be volatile and richly valued.
The smart approach is to understand what you own and not let one sector run your whole portfolio.

What Is a Joint Stock Company? A Simple Guide

By Cierra Seay

A joint stock company is a business owned by many people, each holding shares of stock that represent a slice of ownership.
It's the basic idea behind every public company you can buy on the stock market today.
Owning a share makes you a part-owner, entitled to a piece of the profits and growth.

Capital Gains Tax in California: A Simple Guide

By Nate Gregory

Capital gains tax is what you owe when you sell an investment for more than you paid for it.
How long you held it matters: long-term gains are taxed more gently than short-term gains at the federal level.
Smart investors lower the bill with tools like tax-loss harvesting and holding for the long run.

Top Covered Call ETFs: How to Compare Them

By Nate Gregory

Top covered call ETFs are income funds that own stocks and sell call options against them to generate steady cash.
The best one for you is the fund whose income, holdings, and fees fit your goals, not simply the one with the flashiest yield.
They all share one trade-off: more income today, less upside in a big rally.

What Are Stock Options? A Plain-English Guide

By Milena Thomas

Stock options are contracts that give you the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a stock at a set price by a set date.
There are two kinds: calls (the right to buy) and puts (the right to sell).
Options can multiply gains or wipe out your money fast, so they suit investors who already know the basics.

EBITDA Margin: What It Is and How to Calculate It

By Cierra Seay

EBITDA margin measures how much core profit a company keeps from each dollar of sales, before interest, taxes, and accounting deductions.
The formula is EBITDA divided by revenue, shown as a percent.
A higher, steadier EBITDA margin usually signals a more efficient, more durable business.

What Is Taxable Income? A Simple Guide for Investors

By Kalbir Talwar

Taxable income is the portion of your money the government can tax after deductions are applied.
Not all income is taxed the same: job income, investment income, and passive income face different rates.
Investors and business owners get more tools to legally lower their taxable income, which is a big edge over time.

What Is a Covered Call? How the Strategy Works

By Jackson Moreland

A covered call is an options strategy where you own a stock and sell someone the right to buy it from you at a higher price.
You collect cash, called the premium, up front, and keep it no matter what happens.
The trade-off: if the stock soars, your shares get sold at the set price and you miss the extra upside.

1 2 3 … 23 Next »