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Regime appears to have turned to digital currency issued by Tether in the face of sanctions

Iran’s central bank has undertaken a ‘systematic accumulation’ of Tether coins,

 This article is more than 1 month old
Iran’s central bank using vast quantities of cryptocurrency championed by Farage, says report
This article is more than 1 month old
Regime appears to have turned to digital currency issued by Tether in the face of sanctions
Tom Burgis and Michael Goodier
Wed 21 Jan 2026 06.00 GMT
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Iran’s central bank appears to have been using vast quantities of a cryptocurrency championed by Nigel Farage, according to a new report.
Elliptic, a crypto analytics company, said it had traced at least $507m (£377m) of cryptocurrency issued by Tether – a company touted by the Reform UK leader – passing through accounts that appear to be controlled by Iran’s central bank.
Elliptic’s report tracked what it says is the Iranian central bank’s “systematic accumulation” of Tether stablecoins, a type of crypto that is pegged to the dollar so it can easily be exchanged for hard currency.
This pointed to “a sophisticated strategy to bypass the global banking system”, perhaps to trade or to prop up the rial, Iran’s currency.
With thousands confirmed dead in the brutal suppression of protests, the Iranian regime’s apparent use of Tether’s stablecoins raises questions for Farage about his support for the cryptocurrency.
In September, Farage revealed he was planning to raise Tether during a meeting with the governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey.
“I’m going to go tomorrow to say this,” Farage told LBC radio. “You know, Tether is a stablecoin. Stablecoins are the way which money goes from conventional currencies through into cryptocurrencies and back again. Tether is about to be valued as a $500bn company.”
Farage criticised Bailey for imposing restrictions on crypto and urged the UK to catch up with the US, where Donald Trump, who chose Howard Lutnick, Tether’s banker, as his commerce secretary, has reversed efforts to police digital currencies.
Farage added: “You know, stablecoins, crypto – this world is enormous, and I’ve been urging for years that London should embrace it. We should become a global trading centre for this stuff, under proper regulation.”
One of Tether’s major shareholders, the tech investor Christopher Harborne, is Reform’s biggest donor. His lawyers said Harborne, who does not hold an executive post at Tether, is not responsible for illicit activities by its users. Suggestions that Harborne profits from Iran’s use of Tether stablecoins were “baseless drivel”, the lawyers said.
A spokesperson for Reform UK said “many companies and organisations across the globe” use Tether. They added: “All donations to Reform UK comply with electoral law and regulations. We stringently vet each donation. We continue to actively support the Iranian people in their fight for freedom.”
Booming demand for Tether’s stablecoin – known as USDT – has generated huge returns from the real-currency reserves the company holds to maintain its peg to the dollar. Tether’s $13bn annual profits are one-and-a-half times those of McDonald’s.
Some of that demand comes from illicit sources. In the face of US, UN and other sanctions that make it difficult to trade, buy foreign currency and hold accounts with most banks, it seems Iranians and their rulers have turned to Tether’s stablecoins.
Last year, Israel revealed what it said were dozens of crypto accounts used by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
That prompted a prominent Iranian businessman to complain on X about the regime’s failure to keep its dealings secret. His post contained two crypto account numbers the businessman said were used by Iran’s central bank.
It was through this apparently inadvertent disclosure that Elliptic’s researchers found connections between 50 accounts, concluding with a “high level of confidence” that they were controlled by Iran’s central bank.

Accounts said to be tied to Iran have received more than $500m in Tether crypto
Daily value of USDT received by accounts flagged as belonging to the Central Bank of Iran

A Tether representative did not address questions about Iranian central bank use of its stablecoins, but said: “Tether maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward the criminal use of our financial products.”
The representative said Tether followed US sanctions guidelines. “We work closely with law enforcement globally to identify and promptly, upon request, freeze assets to prevent further movement whenever they are identified to be in connection to illegal activity or illicit actors.”
They added that Tether has collaborated with more than 310 law enforcement agencies across 62 countries and frozen more than $3.4bn in assets “linked to criminal activity”.
Tether has frozen the suspected Revolutionary Guards accounts identified by Israel last year but most of those that appear to have been used by the Iranian central bank seem to remain active.
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#CRİPTO The escalating confrontation involving Israel, the United States, and Iran is not only reshaping geopolitical calculations across the Middle East, it is also sending shockwaves through global financial markets.
Cryptocurrency markets, which operate continuously and react instantly to breaking news, have become one of the most sensitive barometers of investor sentiment during this period of uncertainty.
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At least 3 dead, 14 injured in Texas shootingTrump says 48 Iranian leaders killed in strikes on IranIranian drone crashes into US base in Kuwait - VIDEOUS military says it sank Iranian ship in Gulf of OmanUnlike traditional markets that close overnight or on weekends, crypto trades around the clock. That makes it both a real time indicator of risk appetite and a highly volatile arena when geopolitical tensions spike. As headlines intensify and the risk of regional spillover grows, investors are reassessing everything from safe haven strategies to liquidity exposure.Below is a comprehensive FAQ explainer examining how a prolonged Israel US Iran war could affect the cryptocurrency market across multiple dimensions.Why does war in the Middle East affect cryptocurrency markets at allCryptocurrency does not exist in isolation from global finance. Although it is decentralized in structure, its price formation is deeply integrated with global liquidity conditions, investor risk appetite, and macroeconomic expectations.When war risk rises, investors often reduce exposure to volatile assets. Cryptocurrencies, especially Bitcoin and Ethereum, are widely considered high volatility assets. In the early stages of geopolitical escalation, they tend to trade more like technology stocks than traditional safe havens.At the same time, war in a region critical to global energy supply can push oil prices higher. Rising energy prices increase inflation concerns. If inflation expectations rise, central banks may hesitate to cut interest rates or may even tighten policy. Higher interest rates and a stronger dollar historically create headwinds for speculative assets, including cryptocurrencies.Is Bitcoin a safe haven during warThe answer is complex. Bitcoin is sometimes described as digital gold, suggesting it could function as a hedge during geopolitical turmoil. However, short term trading patterns often tell a different story.In the immediate aftermath of conflict escalation, Bitcoin frequently declines alongside equities as investors move toward cash, government bonds, or physical gold. This reflects a liquidity driven reaction rather than a philosophical judgment about Bitcoin’s long term value.Over longer horizons, if war leads to currency instability, capital controls, or loss of confidence in traditional financial systems, Bitcoin may regain attention as a decentralized store of value. The timing and scale of that shift depend heavily on how the conflict evolves.How does oil influence crypto markets during conflictOil is one of the most important transmission channels between war and financial markets.If the Israel US Iran war disrupts shipping routes or threatens energy infrastructure, oil prices may rise significantly. Higher oil prices feed directly into global inflation expectations. Inflation pressures can influence central bank policy decisions, bond yields, and currency strength.Cryptocurrencies are highly sensitive to global liquidity. When borrowing costs rise and dollar liquidity tightens, speculative capital tends to retreat from digital assets. Therefore, sustained oil price spikes can indirectly pressure crypto valuations.What role does the US dollar play in this dynamicIn times of crisis, global demand for US dollars often increases. Investors seek the safety and liquidity of dollar denominated assets. A strengthening dollar can weigh on cryptocurrency prices because crypto is largely priced in dollars.If the dollar appreciates sharply, it can tighten financial conditions globally. Emerging markets may face additional pressure, and leveraged investors may reduce exposure to volatile assets. This can create downward pressure on crypto markets.Stablecoins, which are mostly pegged to the dollar, also become central to the discussion. Increased demand for dollar liquidity may boost stablecoin usage, but regulatory scrutiny can intensify simultaneously.Could sanctions reshape the crypto ecosystemSanctions are a critical dimension of this conflict. If the war expands, additional sanctions targeting financial institutions, companies, or individuals may follow. Cryptocurrency exchanges, wallet providers, and stablecoin issuers are subject to compliance obligations in many jurisdictions.Sanctions enforcement can lead to address blacklisting, frozen funds, and restricted access to trading platforms. While crypto networks themselves are decentralized, centralized exchanges remain key liquidity hubs. If sanctions pressure increases, market fragmentation could grow.This can result in reduced liquidity, wider spreads, and operational risk for traders. It may also accelerate regulatory coordination among allied governments.How might capital flight affect crypto demandIn regions directly affected by war or severe sanctions, residents may turn to cryptocurrency to preserve value or move funds across borders. Crypto can function as an alternative payment rail when banking channels are constrained.However, localized increases in demand do not automatically translate into global price rallies. If international investors are simultaneously reducing risk exposure, the net effect may still be negative for overall market prices.Capital flight dynamics tend to influence stablecoins more immediately than highly volatile tokens. In times of stress, individuals often prioritize stability over speculation.What about cyber warfare and security risksModern conflict frequently includes cyber operations. Exchanges, blockchain networks, and infrastructure providers could become targets of cyber attacks or politically motivated hacking campaigns.Increased cyber risk can reduce market confidence. If a major exchange experiences downtime or security breaches during heightened tensions, volatility could intensify. Smaller tokens tied to specific platforms are especially vulnerable to reputational damage.Investors should remain alert to phishing campaigns, fake donation addresses, and misinformation, all of which tend to increase during wartime narratives.How does leverage amplify war driven volatilityCryptocurrency markets rely heavily on derivatives such as perpetual futures. These instruments allow traders to use leverage, magnifying both gains and losses.When war headlines break, rapid price declines can trigger liquidation cascades. Forced selling amplifies volatility and deepens short term drawdowns. Funding rates can swing sharply as traders reposition.This structure means crypto markets often react more dramatically than traditional markets to geopolitical shocks. Once leverage is flushed out, prices can rebound quickly if news stabilizes, but the path is rarely smooth.Will smaller cryptocurrencies be hit harderDuring periods of elevated uncertainty, liquidity concentrates in larger, more established assets. Bitcoin and Ethereum typically retain stronger order book depth compared to smaller tokens.Altcoins with lower trading volumes may experience sharper declines, wider spreads, and prolonged recovery periods. Projects dependent on speculative capital or high yield incentives are particularly vulnerable when investors turn defensive.In prolonged conflict scenarios, capital preservation tends to dominate capital expansion. That shift disadvantages high beta tokens.Could war spending and debt eventually benefit cryptoIf the conflict leads to increased government spending, rising deficits, and expanded monetary accommodation, some investors may view cryptocurrencies as a hedge against long term currency debasement.This narrative does not typically dominate in the immediate crisis phase. Initially, markets focus on liquidity preservation and risk reduction. Over time, however, concerns about fiscal sustainability or monetary expansion can revive interest in decentralized assets.The timeline for such a shift depends on policy responses and the scale of economic disruption.How might central bank policy interact with the conflictCentral banks must balance inflation risks against economic slowdown. If oil driven inflation rises while growth weakens, policymakers face difficult trade offs.If rates remain elevated to contain inflation, crypto may struggle due to tighter financial conditions. If growth deteriorates and central banks pivot toward easing, liquidity conditions could improve, supporting digital assets.The war’s duration and intensity will strongly influence this policy trajectory.What indicators should investors monitorSeveral categories of indicators are especially relevant during an active geopolitical crisis.Energy markets reveal inflation risk and supply disruption concerns. Currency markets show whether the dollar is strengthening as a safe haven. Bond yields indicate expectations for monetary policy.Within crypto, funding rates, open interest, and liquidation data reveal leverage conditions. Stablecoin supply and redemption flows can signal liquidity stress. Exchange inflows and outflows may reflect investor sentiment.Watching these signals together provides a more complete picture than focusing solely on price movements.What happens if the conflict spreads regionallyRegional spillover could magnify market disruption. Shipping lane instability or direct confrontation between additional states would likely increase volatility across all asset classes.In such a scenario, crypto markets may experience repeated selloffs tied to headline risk. Liquidity could thin further, and correlation with equities might rise during acute stress.However, if traditional banking systems in certain regions become constrained, crypto infrastructure could simultaneously see increased transactional usage.Is long term adoption affected by warWar can accelerate technological shifts in unexpected ways. Increased focus on sanctions compliance, digital identity, and cross border payment efficiency may influence how blockchain infrastructure is integrated into global finance.At the same time, heightened regulatory scrutiny could slow certain segments of the industry. The net long term effect will depend on policy responses and industry adaptability.Decentralized finance platforms may face closer oversight if policymakers perceive elevated national security risks. Conversely, blockchain based settlement systems could attract interest for resilience reasons.What are the primary risks for retail participantsRetail participants face several key risks during wartime volatility.Price swings can be extreme and rapid. Emotional trading increases the likelihood of losses. Leveraged positions can be liquidated quickly. Scams and misinformation multiply during crises.Security hygiene becomes especially important. Verifying sources, safeguarding private keys, and avoiding impulsive trades are critical defensive measures.Could crypto eventually decouple from traditional marketsDecoupling is possible but not guaranteed. In early crisis stages, crypto often moves in tandem with broader risk assets. Over time, if macro narratives shift toward currency instability or systemic distrust, crypto could trade on a more independent thesis.The duration and severity of the Israel US Iran conflict will determine whether crypto remains correlated with equities or transitions into a differentiated role.What is the most likely near term outcomeAs long as uncertainty remains elevated, the cryptocurrency market is likely to experience sustained volatility. Large cap assets may outperform smaller tokens due to liquidity preference. Risk off reactions may follow each escalation headline.If diplomatic efforts reduce tensions, crypto could rebound quickly as risk appetite returns. If the conflict deepens, volatility and liquidity stress could intensify.Ultimately, cryptocurrency markets are deeply intertwined with global macroeconomic conditions. War reshapes those conditions through energy prices, inflation expectations, sanctions policy, and investor psychology. While decentralized networks continue to operate regardless of geopolitics, their market valuations remain closely tied to the broader financial system.The Israel US Iran war represents not only a geopolitical crisis but also a stress test for digital assets in an era where crypto has become embedded within global capital flows. Whether it emerges weakened or strengthened will depend less on ideology and more on liquidity, policy decisions, and the trajectory of the conflict itself.
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In the early hours of Saturday morning, President Donald Trump announced that the US had launched military strikes on Iran.
In an eight-minute video statement posted to social media, he said the US was undertaking a "massive and ongoing operation" to end the Iranian threat and he called for regime change in Tehran.
"It's a very simple message," the president said from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. "They will never have a nuclear weapon."
The BBC's State Department correspondent Tom Bateman and Washington correspondent Daniel Bush break down the president's words line by line to explain how he is justifying the action and assess the risks ahead.

Trump's basis for strikes
"Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people. Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world."
​​The key words here are "imminent threats". The commander-in-chief knows he has to justify why this attack - which does not have formal international backing nor the authorisation of Congress - is happening now.
Trump makes three cases here: that Iran has been an imminent threat to America ever since the Islamic Revolution in 1979; that it is close to developing intercontinental ballistic missiles that could reach the US - a claim which is not supported by US intelligence assessments; and that it is on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon, even though Trump had said these capabilities were "obliterated" after the US strikes last summer.
​​The reality over the timing is that Trump and Netanyahu view the Iranian leadership as at its weakest point domestically for years with its allied militias in the region decimated after the Gaza war. Tehran's brutal crushing of this year's protests started a stopwatch. They believe this is the moment to strike - Tom Bateman.
Time for negotiations over
"We sought repeatedly to make a deal. We tried. They wanted to do it. They didn't want to do it again. They wanted to do it. They didn't want to do it."
Trump's case here is that the US had no choice but to strike because of a recalcitrant Iranian regime that played Washington's outreach to negotiate an end to its nuclear programme. He said on the eve of the attack Tehran wouldn't "give us what we have to have".
Over recent weeks Trump equivocated over the extent of his demands, at times saying a deal had to include an end to Iran's conventional missile capabilities, other times suggesting it did not. But his red line converged on the demand for zero nuclear enrichment.
'Operation Epic Fury'
"For these reasons, the United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests."
Now that Operation Epic Fury is under way, everyone - lawmakers in Congress, US allies, Iran - want to know how long it will last, and how big it might be.
President Trump's words signal that the scope and scale of the attack will be much larger than the US strike on Iran last summer. But it's notable that Trump didn't provide any more details, leaving it up for interpretation whether the strikes will last days, weeks or even longer.
It's also notable that Trump did not seek congressional authorisation for the attack. That has angered lawmakers, especially Democrats, who are calling for Congress to rein Trump in.
The administration briefed a small group of congressional leaders ahead of the attack. But on Saturday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he hoped the administration briefed "all senators" on the operation. Expect the administration to face growing pressure from Congress to justify this operation.
Separately, by linking Iran to "core national security interests," Trump is seeking to convince Americans that attacking Tehran will make the US homeland safer. This will be a key challenge for Trump: building support at home for his military actions abroad, at a time when many voters would prefer he focus on domestic issues like the economy and immigration
US troops under threat
"The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties, that often happens in war. We're doing this, not for now, we're doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission."
Military actions always carry risk, and there is a long history of US presidents launching wars or covert operations in the Middle East that damaged them politically back home.
President Trump acknowledged that risk by admitting there are likely to be some American casualties. He may be betting that he can rally the American public behind the attack, keep the casualties at a minimum, and come away with some sort of military victory he can tout to voters ahead of the midterm elections in November.
That is a calculated risk, however. It's unclear how events in Iran will unfold. But if this spirals into a wider regional war it could draw the US back into a lengthy conflict in the Middle East - something Trump promised he wouldn't do. He campaigned on a pledge to end "forever wars" and disentangle the US from foreign conflicts.
Vice-President JD Vance echoed the sentiment earlier this week, before the strikes started, and it's a popular position with the MAGA base. But with each new military action abroad Trump and Vance risk alienating supporters who did not envision or want such a muscular approach to foreign policy - Daniel Bush.
Trump's strategic objective
"To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity, or, in the alternative, face certain death."
Here we get to the most critical part of Trump's speech: his strategic objective. This matters most because ambiguity over his goal has been repeatedly questioned in Congress and the path to it is strewn with the greatest risks of all.
It is now unequivocal this is a war of attempted regime change launched by the US and Israel. Decapitation worked as far as Trump was concerned in Venezuela, storming the capital and snatching leader Nicolas Maduro.
Iranian officials last week appeared to be quietly briefing out the idea that trying to do a Venezuela on them wouldn't work, that a masterplan was in place even if the supreme leader was killed, with four layers of succession ready to head the regime.
Trump is rolling the dice on a similar outcome to Venezuela, through either a popular uprising or a badly damaged regime that becomes pliant to Washington's will.
But the dangers are immense. They include the possibility of unleashing uncontrollable civil conflict and bloodshed within Iran itself; a regional conflict drawing in America's key Arab allies whose monarchies detest the idea of domestic instability; and the deaths of American troops and personnel in the region - Tom Bateman.
Appeal to Iranian people
"Finally, to the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand…when we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations."
In recent months Trump has pressured Iran on two fronts, urging Tehran to abandon its nuclear weapons programme and stop the deadly crackdown on mass protests that swept the country.
Here, he sought to keep the focus on democracy-building with a direct appeal to the Iranian population. But he also added an ominous warning, saying it would be the "only chance for generations" to transform Iranian society. It's not quite a call for full regime change, but Trump is making clear the US wants drastic change, and expects it'll be driven from within the country.
At the same, Trump has made peacemaking a key part of his second-term agenda. He has actively campaigned for the Nobel Peace Prize, and claimed to have ended several wars since returning to office. Iran would be a major part of this legacy, if Trump can secure the outcome he desires.
Exactly what that is remains unclear, however. And if the operation in Iran backfires, it could cost Trump dearly in his push to be seen as a champion of peace on the world stage. It is now the second strike he's launched on Iran, and joins a growing list of other military actions he's taken, including airstrikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and the attack on Venezuela
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An army soldier stands guard at a deserted entry point at the Friendship Gate, following the exchanges of fire between Pakistan and Afghanistan forces, at the border crossing between the two countries, in Chaman, Pakistan,

Nuclear-armed Pakistan has a formidable military of 660,000 active personnel, backed by a fleet of 465 combat aircraftBut the Taliban have the option to lean on insurgent groups like the TTP and the BLA to move beyond border skirmishes
KARACHI: Weeks after the Taliban’s lightning offensive in 2021 wrested control of Afghanistan from a US-led military coalition, Pakistan’s then intelligence chief flew into the capital Kabul for talks, where the serving lieutenant general told a reporter: “Don’t worry, everything will be okay.”
Five years on, Islamabad — long seen as a patron of the Taliban — is locked in its heaviest fighting with the group, which Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif described on Friday (February 27) as an “open war.”
The turmoil means that a wide swathe of Asia — from the Gulf to the Himalayas — is now in flux, with the United States building up a military deployment against Afghanistan’s neighbor Iran even as relations between Pakistan and arch rival India remain on edge after four days of fighting last May.
At the heart of the conflict with Afghanistan is Pakistan’s accusation that the Afghan Taliban provides support to militant groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), that have wreaked havoc across inside the South Asian country.
The Afghan Taliban, which has previously fought alongside the TTP, denies the charge, insisting that Pakistan’s security situation is its internal problem.
The disagreement is a reflection of starkly incompatible positions taken by both sides, as Pakistan expected compliance after decades of support to the Taliban, which did not see itself beholden to Islamabad, analysts said.
“We all know that the government in Pakistan supported the Taliban, the Afghan Taliban for many years, in the 90s and the 2000s, and provided havens to them during the period where the US and NATO were in Afghanistan.
So there’s a very close relationship between the Taliban and Pakistan,” said Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili, a political scientist at the University of Pittsburgh and an Afghanistan expert.
“It’s really surprising and shocking to many of us to see how quickly this relationship deteriorated,” she said.
Although tensions have simmered along their rugged 2,600-km (1,615-mile) frontier for months, following clashes last October, Friday’s fighting is notable because of Pakistan’s use of warplanes to hit Taliban military installations instead of confining the attacks to the militants it allegedly harbors.
These include targets deep inside the country in Kabul, as well as the southern city of Kandahar, the seat of Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, according to Pakistan military spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry.
The clashes are unlikely to end there.
“I think in the immediate aftermath, I think hostilities will subside. There will be, I hope there will be a ceasefire through mediation. But I do not see these tensions subsiding in the foreseeable future,” said Abdul Basit,  an expert on militancy and violent extremism at Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
Nuclear-armed Pakistan has a formidable military of 660,000 active personnel, backed by a fleet of 465 combat aircraft, several thousand armored fighting vehicles and artillery pieces.
Across the border, the Afghan Taliban has only around 172,000 active military personnel, a smattering of armored vehicles and no real air force.
But the battle-hardened group, which took on a phalanx of Western military powers in 2001 and outlasted them, has the option to lean on insurgents like the TTP and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), moving beyond border skirmishes.
Based in Pakistan’s largest and poorest province of Balochistan that borders both Iran and Afghanistan, the BLA has been at the center of a decades-long insurgency, which in recent years has staged large coordinated attacks.
Pakistan has long accused India of backing the insurgents, a charge repeatedly denied by New Delhi, which has retained a robust military deployment along the border since last May.
Although a raft of countries with influence — including China, Russia, Turkiye and Qatar — have indicated an openness to help mediate the conflict, all such efforts have been met with limited success so far.
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‘Israel’s initiation of these strikes was a vile attempt to sabotage ongoing negotiations,’ Malaysian Prime Minister Ibrahim says
ISTANBUL
Several Asian nations on Saturday voiced concern about regional stability following Israel-US attacks on Iran.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim sharply criticized Israel’s actions, describing the strikes as a deliberate effort to derail diplomatic efforts.
In a strongly worded statement, Anwar said the Israeli strikes on Iran, along with the US military action accompanying them, risk pushing the Middle East to the brink of catastrophe.
“Israel’s initiation of these strikes was a vile attempt to sabotage ongoing negotiations and to drag other nations into a conflict that could prove impossible to contain. An immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities is imperative,” he said on US social media platform X.
Anwar also urged Washington and Tehran to seek a diplomatic off-ramp instead of escalating tensions further, calling on the international community to respond urgently and without double standards.
In contrast, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed support for US actions.
“We support the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security,” Albanese said in a social media post.
UN Special Rapporteur Ben Saul described Australia’s backing of the attacks on Iran as “deeply disturbing.”
“Deeply disturbing Australia supports the illegal US/Israeli aggression against Iran in violation of the UN Charter. This is not lawful self-defence against an armed attack by Iran & the Security Council has not authorized it,” he said, adding: “Preventive regime change is an international crime.”
South Korea’s presidential office said in a brief statement that Seoul is closely monitoring the situation and urged all parties to work toward de-escalating tensions in the region, according to Yonhap News.
Japan also said it is closely watching developments in the Middle East with grave concern, particularly regarding the potential impact on energy security.
Meanwhile, several countries — including Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand and Nepal — issued travel advisories for Iran, Israel and Lebanon. Some governments urged their citizens to leave Iran and Israel immediately, while others advised caution.
Israel launched the operation early Saturday under the name “Lion’s Roar,” declaring a “special and immediate” state of emergency nationwide
US President Donald Trump confirmed “major combat operations” in Iran, saying the actions were aimed at defending the American people by “eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.”
#BTCUSTDP

Between credit stress concerns, a hot PPI inflation reading, and tensions between U.S. and Iran, investors have plenty of reasons to stay away from risk assets.
By Krisztian Sandor, James Van Straten|Edited by Stephen Alpher
Feb 27, 2026, 10:09 p.m.

What to know:
Bitcoin slid back below $66,000, erasing most of its midweek gains as major cryptocurrencies and crypto-related stocks fell alongside a broader risk-off move in markets.Hotter-than-expected January U.S. producer price inflation pushed expectations further back for interest rate cuts, while widening credit spreads and sharp declines in private-equity firms point to mounting worries about credit stress.Bitcoin #BTC$65,454.79 fell back below $66,000 Friday in the early U.S. session as mounting macro risks are spooking investors away from risky assets.The largest crypto now has erased most of Wednesday's surge, plunging 3% from around $68,000 in the past few hours to $65,600 in the morning hours. The braod-market CoinDesk 20 Index was 2.3% lower in the past 24 hours, with ether (ETH), XRP (XRP) and solana (SOL) down similar amounts.Crypto-related stocks also followed the move, giving up part of the gains earlier this week. Strategy (MSTR), the largest corporate bitcoin holder, slipped 3%, while Coinbase (COIN) was more than 2% lower. Stablecoin issuer Circle (CRCL), declined almost 5%%, snapping its rebound that saw the stock gaining nearly 50% in a couple of sessions.Miners, increasingly linked to AI infrastructure buildout, performed even worse, with IREN (IREN), Cipher Mining (CIFR), Core Scientific (CORZ) and TeraWulf (WULF) losing 6%-8%.The action occurred as U.S. equity indexes fell, with the Nasdaq down 0.8% and the S&P 500 lower by 0.6%.In the backdrop, there was a mix of risks for investors to get concerned about.A hotter-than-expected Producer Price Index (PPI) inflation reading for last month spooked those who hoped for a continuation in the cooling inflation trend. In January, core PPI rose 3.6% year over year, above the 3.0% estimate, and up from 3.3% previously. Markets are now pricing in a 96% chance of no rate cut for the March 18 Federal Reserve meeting.Concerns about stress in the credit markets also linger, with credit spreads at their widest in four months. Private equity firms KKR (KKR), Ares (ARES) and Apollo Global Management (APO) plunged 6%-7% to fresh lows during the session.On top of that, prediction market odds of U.S. strikes against Iran rose this morning after the U.S. has begun evacuating embassy staff from Israel.Money flows to safe-havensIn fixed income, the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield has slipped below 4% for the first time since November 2024. Precious metals continue to rally, with gold up 1% to above $5,230 an ounce, while silver has surged 4% to trade back above $92. Meanwhile, crude oil jumped 2.3% to above $67 a barrel.
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#BNBUSTD

#BTCUSTDP
Bitcoin (BTC) as of Friday, February 27, 2026 — covering price action, market trends, adoption, risks, and what’s driving the world’s largest cryptocurrency right now:

Bitcoin (BTC)$65,488.00-$1,419.00(-2.12%)Today1D5D1M6MYTD1Y5Ymax

📉 Bitcoin Today — Price & Market Mood (Feb 27, 2026)

As of this morning on February 27, Bitcoin (BTC) is trading around the mid–$60,000s (about $65,488 USD with intraday swings between ~$65,488 and ~$68,118). Trends are mixed but slightly bearish or neutral in short-term sentiment. Prices have struggled to stay above key levels like $68,000–$70,000 after recent volatility.

Market updates show that Bitcoin’s price recently pulled back after breaking toward $70,000, reflecting broader crypto market caution and profit-taking. Many traders are now hedging positions or protecting against further dips amid macro uncertainties.

Some price models even suggest deeper corrections could push BTC further downward before stabilizing. Analysts and technical charts point to key floors like $62,000 to $60,000 if downward pressure persists, though rebounds remain possible if buyers return.

📊 Short-Term Market Sentiment

Recent news reflects a cautious and slightly risk-off mood in crypto markets:

Bitcoin has dipped alongside other major assets (like Ether and Solana), indicating broader risk aversion.

Large crypto options expiries and macro pressure are adding short-term volatility.

Some analysts forecast potential deeper lows before a sustainable recovery.

Overall, the market is not decisively bullish — traders are watching major levels and macro cues before committing heavily again.

🌍 Adoption: Still Growing Despite Price Pullbacks

While the price isn’t surging, Bitcoin adoption continues to expand globally — a major theme in 2026:

Business & Corporate Adoption

Businesses collectively added tens of billions of dollars of BTC to balance sheets in 2025 — more than in all previous years combined.

Public companies holding Bitcoin grew substantially, showing corporate confidence beyond price moves.

Lightning Network Growth

Bitcoin’s Lightning Network — a layer-2 solution for faster, cheaper transactions — saw monthly volume grow over 300% in 2025, indicating real-world usage momentum.

Nation-State Adoption

At least 23 countries own Bitcoin reserves, and regulatory access continues expanding in many regions.

This shows that even when market prices wobble, underlying usage and institutional interest remain significant.

📌 Long-Term Outlook: Bulls vs. Bears

Experts and market watchers are divided:

Bullish Factors

Some forecasts suggest that wider adoption, institutional demand, and investor education could push Bitcoin to much higher valuations over the long term.

Historical cycles suggest Bitcoin may bounce after corrections and peak again over the medium/long term.

Bearish Risks

Short-term risk includes continued price drag if ETF outflows persist or macro pressures increase.

Analysts like Willy Woo have warned of possible deeper drawdowns before a new bull phase.

🧠 What This Means for You

For traders:

Short-term price swings are still significant. Protect positions, watch key support and resistance levels ($60k–$70k), and monitor macro cues.

For long-term believers:

The fundamentals — including adoption, institutional interest, and network utility — remain robust, suggesting Bitcoin isn’t just price speculation. It continues developing as a global digital asset and payment network.

Summary

✔ Bitcoin is trading in the $60k–$70k range on February 27, 2026.

✔ Market sentiment is cautious with possible volatility ahead.

✔ Adoption (business, network, nation-state) remains strong.

✔ Long-term outlook is mixed — bullish fundamentals but short-term risk
#BTCUSTDP