Bitcoin Faces Pressure Near $81,500 Amid Warnings of Potential US Strikes on Iran

Bitcoin traded near $81,500 on Saturday amid broader risk-off sentiment triggered by warnings of potential military strikes between the United States and Iran within 24 hours. The cryptocurrency remains down 1.5% over the past seven days and more than 6% below its recent peak, after briefly slipping below $80,000 earlier in the week. Rising geopolitical tensions also propelled Brent crude oil to a monthly high of roughly $110 per barrel and U.S. crude to $100 per barrel, following equity declines where the Nasdaq 100 dropped 3% on Friday.