Bitcoin Drops Toward $63K as War Fears Rise and Mt. Gox Debate Returns

Bitcoin (BTC)

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  • Bitcoin fell as geopolitical tensions triggered heavy liquidations.
  • Mt. Gox recovery proposal sparked debate over Bitcoin’s immutability.
  • Market sentiment remains fragile heading into the monthly close.

Bitcoin fell sharply over the weekend as global tensions and a renewed debate over the network’s core principles unsettled investors. The cryptocurrency briefly tested the $63,000 range after the United States and Israel reportedly launched coordinated strikes inside Iran, signaling a fresh escalation in the region.

At the same time, a controversial proposal tied to the long-defunct exchange Mt. Gox reopened old wounds within the crypto community, adding another layer of uncertainty to the market outlook.

BTC/USD one-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

Geopolitical Shock Pushes Bitcoin Toward Key Support

Market data showed Bitcoin declining nearly 4% in a single day as traders reacted to the unfolding military developments. With traditional markets closed over the weekend, crypto became the only major asset class offering immediate price discovery.

In a public address, U.S. President Donald Trump said the operation focused on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure while urging Iranians to challenge their leadership. The remarks intensified concerns about prolonged instability, a factor that often drives risk-asset volatility.

Liquidations reportedly surged into the hundreds of millions of dollars within hours, reflecting how quickly leverage unwound across crypto derivatives markets. Analysts noted that Bitcoin is approaching a potential fifth consecutive monthly decline — a rare streak not seen in years — underscoring the fragile sentiment among traders.

Mt. Gox Proposal Reignites Bitcoin Governance Debate

Separately, former Mt. Gox CEO Mark Karpelès introduced a proposal aimed at recovering nearly 80,000 stolen Bitcoin tied to the exchange’s historic collapse. The idea would require a network-wide software upgrade to allow the coins to move without their original private keys — effectively rewriting part of Bitcoin’s transaction rules.

Source: Jameson Lopp

Karpelès argued the proposal is meant to spark discussion, not force a change, noting that trustee Nobuaki Kobayashi already oversees creditor repayments and could distribute any recovered funds.

However, critics warned the plan threatens Bitcoin’s defining promise of immutability. Opponents say altering consensus rules for a single historical case could set a precedent for future interventions, potentially weakening trust in the network’s neutrality.

Also Read: Arbitrum (ARB) Jumps 11% While Bitcoin Stalls — Is a Bigger Crypto Move Coming?

Market Sentiment Hinges on Stability and Principles

The combination of geopolitical stress and internal governance debates highlights the dual forces shaping Bitcoin’s trajectory. External shocks continue to influence short-term price swings, while internal philosophical battles could affect long-term investor confidence.

For now, traders appear focused on whether Bitcoin can hold key support levels into the monthly close. But the broader takeaway is clear: macro risks and protocol politics remain powerful drivers of crypto market sentiment.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.