Markets are showing increased caution ahead of Tuesday’s open, as ongoing tensions in the Middle East push investors toward safer assets.
Now in its fourth day, the conflict is driving volatility in pre-market trading, with a noticeable shift toward risk-off positioning. The U.S. dollar is strengthening, and energy markets remain in focus.
Bitcoin has fallen about 3% over the past 24 hours, dipping below $67,000 after briefly reaching $70,000 on Monday. Equities are under pressure as well: the Invesco QQQ ETF ended Monday slightly higher but is down roughly 2% in pre-market activity.
Precious metals are also lower. Gold continues to hold above $5,300 per ounce, while silver has declined around 4% to about $85 per ounce.
Energy markets are on the rise, with WTI crude oil trading above $74 per barrel—up 5% over the past day and approaching Sunday’s futures highs above $75.
The U.S. dollar is climbing sharply, with the DXY index breaking above 99, its highest level since Jan. 20, reflecting heightened demand for safe-haven assets.
Treasury yields are creeping higher across the curve, with the 10-year U.S. yield remaining above 4% and nearing 4.1%, signaling ongoing rate pressures.
Crypto-related equities are tracking bitcoin’s decline. Strategy (MSTR), the largest publicly traded holder of bitcoin, is down about 2%. Coinbase (COIN) has fallen 5%, Galaxy Digital is off 3%, and AI-focused miners IREN (IREN) and Cipher Digital (CIFR) are each down roughly 4% in early trading.
