Bitcoin Falls to $72,300 as Middle East Tensions and Hotter U.S. Inflation Weigh on Markets

Bitcoin fell to around $72,300, down roughly 2% over 24 hours, as escalating Middle East conflict and stronger-than-expected U.S. inflation data pressured risk assets, ChainCatcher reports. Ethereum, Solana, and XRP each declined close to 3%, while WTI crude oil climbed from about $92 to nearly $96 amid an attack on Iran's South Pars gas field, reports of Israel killing Iran's intelligence minister, and U.S. deployment of heavy bombs near the Strait of Hormuz targeting missile facilities. In the U.S., February PPI rose 0.7% month-over-month versus expectations for 0.3%, and core PPI increased 0.5%, adding to concerns about persistent inflation even though the figures do not yet capture the latest oil price spike. Crypto prices moved broadly in line with U.S. stock index futures, which turned about 0.4% lower, as attention turns to the upcoming Federal Reserve rate decision and Chair Jerome Powell's remarks, while President Trump again publicly urged rate cuts.