Bitcoin
April 13, 2026
Strategy Buys $1B in Bitcoin as ETF Inflows Top $800M
Bitcoin’s price fell sharply over the weekend as geopolitical tensions escalated. But this drop did not last very long. After sliding to around $71,500 on Sunday following the news of a US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, Bitcoin reversed this direction within hours. At the start of the week, the crypto market saw stability and started moving higher again. This recovery is something that caught several traders off guard.
Also Read: Trump Blockades Hormuz, China Sails Through Anyway and Iran Posts DC Gas Prices
Bitcoin Bulls Erase the Blockade Drop as Oil Falls Back Under $100
The initial sell-off came after macro pressure increased. US President Donald Trump’s decision to order a naval blockade, combined with Vice President J.D. Vance leaving talks in Pakistan without a deal, pushed oil above $105. This weighed on risk assets. Trump took to Truth Social and said,
“Effective immediately, the United States Navy … will begin the process of blockading any and all ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz.”
Bitcoin followed the wider reaction. The world’s largest cryptocurrency slipped below $71,000 as markets priced in uncertainty.
But things began taking a turn at the start of the week. Oil prices pulled back under $100. This prompted equities to move higher, and Nasdaq gaining 1.2%. This change in macro conditions helped lift sentiment across the crypto market. Bitcoin swiftly recovered to around $73,400 and fully reversed its weekend losses.
Also Read: Strategy Buys $1B in Bitcoin as ETF Inflows Top $800M
Short Liquidation Drives Bitcoin Rally Past $75K
The bigger move came later in the day. Bitcoin’s rally pushed through the $72,000 to $73,500 range. A large number of bearish positions were forced to close. This led to more than $200 million in short liquidation. Bitcoin briefly moved past $75,000. This marked one of the king coin’s strongest intraday gains in recent weeks.
Other assets followed. ETH rose about 7.3% to a high of $2,393.76 while the total crypto market added over $100 billion in value over the past 24 hours. Crypto-related stocks also moved higher. Circle was up by 11%, and MARA Holdings gained over 8%.
A Look Into Institutional Activity
There are also signs of continued institutional demand. Strategy recently disclosed a $1 billion Bitcoin purchase. Meanwhile, trading in its STRC preferred stock crossed $1 billion in a single day. This pointed to continued accumulation.
On the policy side, there are signs of progress. White House crypto advisor Patrick Witt said discussions around the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act are advancing. He pointed out how lawmakers found common ground on stablecoin yield. He added,
“We’re hopeful that the compromise that has been reached will be durable and will hold. Solving that was a must-have before we could get onto the other outstanding issues.”
The latest price action reflects a pattern that has been seen several times this year. Weekend-driven volatility reserves quickly once markets reopen. This time, the rebound seemed to be strong enough to push prices higher and force a large number of bearish bets out of the market.
Also Read: Japan 10-Year Bond Yield Hits 29-Year High as Oil Surge Fuels Rate Hike Bets
