Written by Nancy Lubale⁠, Staff Writer. Reviewed by Allen Scott⁠, Staff Editor.

Written by Nancy Lubale⁠, Staff Writer.

Reviewed by Allen Scott⁠, Staff Editor.

Bitcoin falls to $76K after Trump says ‘clock is ticking’ for Iran

MarketsPublishedMay 18, 2026

Global Tensions Impact Bitcoin Price

The recent surge in US-Iran tensions has led to a decline in the Bitcoin price, with the cryptocurrency falling to $76,000. This drop comes after Bitcoin had reached 13-week highs around $83,000, fueled by strong inflows into spot exchange-traded funds and optimism surrounding the US CLARITY Act. The losses have erased all the gains made since May 1, with Bitcoin analysis suggesting that the price could revisit the $65,000 demand area.

The US-Iran tensions have been escalating, with US President Donald Trump issuing fresh threats against Iran, warning that the “clock is ticking.” This has led to a decline in the crypto market mood, with Bitcoin experiencing a 7% drop over the last three days. The move in Bitcoin was accompanied by $607 million in long liquidations over the last 24 hours, with BTC long liquidations accounting for $190 million.

Key takeaways

• Bitcoin falls to $76,500 as bearish momentum becomes increasingly tied to geopolitical developments.
• Over $607 million in long positions have been liquidated in the last 24 hours.
• Bitcoin traders say support at $76,000 should hold to avoid a BTC price drop to $65,000.

Bitcoin hits three-week lows with 7% drop

Impact on the Crypto Market

The decline in Bitcoin has had a ripple effect on the entire crypto market, with total liquidations across the market reaching $677 million over the last 24 hours. The volatility has also been felt in the oil market, with WTI rising over 3% in a matter of hours to $104 per barrel before correcting to $101. For those looking to earn passive income in the crypto space, EcoPool offers a solution with its Cloud Rewards and Green Crypto initiatives.

Analysts are looking at the technical setup for clues as to where the Bitcoin price might head next. A bearish divergence from the relative index as BTC/USD ran into resistance at $82,000 is believed to be responsible for the current pullback. Immediate support at $76,000 is expected to hold to prevent a market-wide crash, with other support levels to watch if this area is lost, including the $71,000-$73,000 demand zone and the local low at $65,000, which coincides with the target of an inverted V-shaped pattern.

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On Sunday, however, US President Donald Trump issued fresh threats against Iran regarding delays in the peace agreement, warning that the “clock is ticking.”

Source: TruthSocial/Donald J. Trump

“Trump confirms the clock is ticking for Iran. The US is allegedly preparing for a potential new military operation against Iran,” analyst CryptoRover said in a Monday post on X, adding:

“This is extremely dangerous for $BTC.”

The move in Bitcoin was accompanied by $607 million in long liquidations over the last 24 hours, with BTC long liquidations accounting for $190 million.

This brought the total liquidations across the crypto market over the last 24 hours to $677 million.

Total crypto liquidation across all exchanges. Source: CoinGlass

Oil also saw volatility, with WTI rising over 3% in a matter of hours to $104 per barrel before correcting to $101.

CFDs on WTI crude oil one-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

“WTI surged above $103 as Trump publicly lost patience with stalled peace talks and a waiver for Russian crude sales expired, adding to supply fears around the still-disrupted Strait of Hormuz,” trading resource Capital.com said in a Monday X post, adding:

“Higher oil means hotter future inflation, reinforcing higher-for-longer Fed expectations and lifting both the dollar and yields — a tough combination.”

Bitcoin traders say bears “back in the driver’s seat”

Bitcoin traders, meanwhile, looked at the technical setup for clues as to where the price might head next.

Analyst CryptoJelleNL said that a bearish divergence from the relative index as BTC/USD ran into resistance at $82,000 was responsible for the “pullback we’re in right now,” adding:

“Bears getting back in the driver’s seat?”

BTC/USD daily chart. Source: X/CryptoJelleNL

MN Capital founder Michael van de Poppe said immediate support at $76,000 should hold to “prevent a market-wide crash.”

An accompanying chart showed other support levels to watch if this area is lost, including the $71,000-$73,000 demand zone and the local low at $65,000.

BTC/USD chart. Source: X/Michael van de Poppe

The local low at $65,000 coincides with the target of an inverted V-shaped pattern, as shown on the daily chart below. This represents a 16% drop from the current price.

BTC/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

Note that the BTC/USD pair experienced a similar sharp correction of the same magnitude after being rejected by the 200-day moving averages in April 2025.

This article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice or recommendations. All investments and trades carry risk; readers are encouraged to conduct independent research.

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