The cryptocurrency market is currently experiencing a "risk-on" rally as of Saturday, April 18, 2026, driven by a significant de-escalation in Middle East geopolitical tensions. The market sentiment has rapidly shifted from "Fear" to "Greed" following reports of a potential peace plan between the U.S. and Iran. XTB XTB +3 Morning Market Snapshot (April 18, 2026) Bitcoin (BTC): Trading at approximately $77,315 after surging past the $76,000 resistance level. Ethereum (ETH): Clearing $2,400, showing a daily increase of roughly 3.3%. Market Sentiment: The CMC Crypto Fear and Greed Index hit "Greed" for the first time since October 2025. Altcoin Performance: XRP climbed to $1.40 (+2.4%), and Solana (SOL) maintains momentum near $85.50. CoinDesk CoinDesk +4 Alerian Galaxy Global Cryptocurrency (CRYPTO) 6,390.91 4.69% today As of 18 Apr, 1:42 am GMT+5 • Disclaimer 17 Apr 2026 - 18 Apr 2026 Time period Open 6,104.40 Prev close 6,104.40 High 6,436.85 52-wk high 10,679.50 Low 6,096.46 52-wk low 4,299.67 Geopolitical Impact & Market Trends The primary catalyst for this morning's volatility is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. XTB XTB +1 Energy De-escalation: Iranian officials declared the strait open during a ten-day ceasefire, causing oil prices to plunge nearly 10%. Inflation Hedge: Lower oil prices have reduced immediate global inflation fears, allowing investors to rotate capital back into risk assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Peace Negotiations: Headlines regarding a three-page peace plan, involving the transfer of Iranian uranium in exchange for frozen funds, have turned previously cautious institutional sentiment bullish. Institutional Pivot: Major firms like Strategy Inc. (likely MicroStrategy) have doubled down, recently purchasing $2.6B in Bitcoin, which has bolstered retail confidence. Binance Binance +5 Regional Regulatory Spotlight Pakistan: Has officially ended its 7-year crypto banking ban, emerging as one of the top global adoption hubs. South Korea: The Bank of Korea is implementing "circuit breakers" for exchanges to manage extreme volatility. Vietnam: Formalized crypto taxes (0.1% per transaction) as part of a new legal framework.
Morning market update & Trend
The cryptocurrency market is currently experiencing a "risk-on" rally as of Saturday, April 18, 2026, driven by a significant de-escalation in Middle East geopolitical tensions. The market sentiment has rapidly shifted from "Fear" to "Greed" following reports of a potential peace plan between the U.S. and Iran.
XTB
XTB
+3
Morning Market Snapshot (April 18, 2026)
Bitcoin (BTC): Trading at approximately $77,315 after surging past the $76,000 resistance level.
Ethereum (ETH): Clearing $2,400, showing a daily increase of roughly 3.3%.
Market Sentiment: The CMC Crypto Fear and Greed Index hit "Greed" for the first time since October 2025.
Altcoin Performance: XRP climbed to $1.40 (+2.4%), and Solana (SOL) maintains momentum near $85.50.
CoinDesk
CoinDesk
+4
Alerian Galaxy Global Cryptocurrency (CRYPTO)
6,390.91
4.69% today
As of 18 Apr, 1:42 am GMT+5 • Disclaimer
17 Apr 2026 - 18 Apr 2026
Time period
Open
6,104.40
Prev close
6,104.40
High
6,436.85
52-wk high
10,679.50
Low
6,096.46
52-wk low
4,299.67
Geopolitical Impact & Market Trends
The primary catalyst for this morning's volatility is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
XTB
XTB
+1
Energy De-escalation: Iranian officials declared the strait open during a ten-day ceasefire, causing oil prices to plunge nearly 10%.
Inflation Hedge: Lower oil prices have reduced immediate global inflation fears, allowing investors to rotate capital back into risk assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Peace Negotiations: Headlines regarding a three-page peace plan, involving the transfer of Iranian uranium in exchange for frozen funds, have turned previously cautious institutional sentiment bullish.
Institutional Pivot: Major firms like Strategy Inc. (likely MicroStrategy) have doubled down, recently purchasing $2.6B in Bitcoin, which has bolstered retail confidence.
Binance
Binance
+5
Regional Regulatory Spotlight
Pakistan: Has officially ended its 7-year crypto banking ban, emerging as one of the top global adoption hubs.
South Korea: The Bank of Korea is implementing "circuit breakers" for exchanges to manage extreme volatility.
Vietnam: Formalized crypto taxes (0.1% per transaction) as part of a new legal framework.