Crypto Gains as Iran and U. S. Near Peace Talks

Bitcoin rose 1. 6 % to about $77, 500 after chatter grew that a U. S. –Iran agreement could be signed soon. The price jump followed a surge in betting markets that now give the deal a 37 % chance this month, up from roughly 14 % earlier in the week. Traders on a prediction platform moved total stakes to nearly $178 million as Iranian officials flew into Doha for talks. The discussion centers on the Strait of Hormuz and highly enriched uranium, according to a diplomat who spoke privately. Iran’s foreign ministry says the current paperwork is only a first‑step memorandum, with deeper negotiations planned for the next month or two.Both Pakistan and Qatar are helping to host the talks, while the U. S. and Israel have kept most shipping through the strait shut for weeks after their strike on February 28. Other markets felt the ripple. Oil prices slipped 5. 4 % to $91. 30 a barrel, and gold climbed 1. 35 % to $4, 570 an ounce. The U. S. dollar index fell about 0. 3 %, indicating a weaker currency overall. Former President Trump warned that the deal must be “great for all or none, ” hinting that a partial agreement would still lead to conflict. His message came after he said the framework was “subject to finalization. ” The overall mood is cautious optimism, but many still question whether the talks will lead to a lasting peace or simply set the stage for future tensions.