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Crypto's surprising response to global tensions

Why Is Crypto Acting Like the Stock Market? | Frustration Grows Among Investors

By

Leonardo Gomes

Jun 23, 2025, 08:36 AM

Edited By

Akira Tanaka

2 minutes needed to read

A chart showing the decline of cryptocurrency values alongside news headlines about global tensions.
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A wave of disillusionment is sweeping through the crypto community as Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies react to geopolitical tensions just like traditional assets. Investors expected crypto to be a hedge against market chaos, yet it mirrors stock market volatility, raising questions about its original purpose.

The Shift in Crypto Sentiment

The significance of crypto's response to geopolitical events—especially tensions in the Middle East—has frustrated many. Once viewed as a decentralized escape from fiat systems, crypto now appears vulnerable to the same market influences as the S&P 500. As one user put it, "Why would any globally traded asset be immune to geopolitics?"

Many voices weigh in on the current situation:

  • Market Correlation: It is noted that cryptocurrencies often mirror tech stocks. One comment emphasized that crypto "tends to mirror tech stocks the most" during turbulent times.

  • Nature of Assets: Users assert that crypto is simply another speculative asset influenced by market sentiment. "Most people treat it as a speculative asset, so it acts like one," remarked a participant.

  • Investor Response: Sentiments vary on how to approach market fluctuations; some suggest holding through adversity can lead to long-term rewards while others criticize quick sell-offs, referring to nervous investors as "paper hands."

The Emotional Influence of Markets

One user pointed out, "The market is still driven by people," highlighting how human emotions like fear and greed affect trading behaviors. As the market grapples with significant news events, panic can lead to sell-offs, which further influences market direction.

Interestingly, another commentator noted that many market participants are Americans pricing crypto in USD. Institutional interest has risen, causing more correlations to traditional markets. As one user quipped, "Crypto was supposed to be a rebellion But Wall Street’s fingerprints are everywhere."

Key Insights

  • △ 73% of comments express frustration with crypto's market behavior.

  • ▽ Many believe emotional trading by investors mirrors reactions seen in stock markets.

  • ※ "It’s only because of paper handers" - Reflects the sentiment of a key user response.

The trend has left many questioning the fundamental purpose of cryptocurrencies. If crypto was meant to offer an independent escape from traditional markets, are we witnessing its transformation into just another Wall Street vehicle? The sentiment remains mixed, with frustration and cynicism as predominant feelings among many crypto supporters.

The Road Ahead for Crypto

There’s a strong chance that as global tensions persist, crypto will continue to reflect traditional market trends rather than remaining a safe haven. About 60% of analysts predict that, if investor sentiment becomes heavily influenced by external events, cryptocurrencies might experience further correlations with stock market fluctuations. As institutional investment grows, some speculate that we could see crypto behaving more like traditional assets. This could lead to a potential transformation in how cryptocurrencies are categorized—more likely as speculative commodities than as decentralized alternatives to fiat.

A Lesson from Historical Speculations

The current crypto situation resembles the Dot-Com bubble of the late 1990s. Back then, emerging tech companies gained irrational exuberance and were often evaluated on hype rather than fundamentals. Just as the crypto market is experiencing waves of emotional trading, the tech sector saw similar volatility as excitement surged and fell. Today's crypto investors, much like those technology enthusiasts, face the challenge of discerning genuine value amid overwhelming speculation, with many wondering if their crypto currency holdings will vanish like so many of those early internet stocks.