BTC

Monday Morning: Digital Gold Shines Again

When investors opened their trading terminals on Monday morning, BTCUSD ... was already reacting strongly to the positive news that emerged over the weekend. The world’s largest cryptocurrency climbed above the $65,000 mark, gaining 1.5% to reach $65,405. This was not merely a technical move—it was a signal that the market was shifting back toward risk assets after weeks of fear and uncertainty. Following a volatile previous week that ended almost unchanged, Bitcoin finally found the strength to make a confident move higher.

What triggered this rally? The answer lies in the events that unfolded in the Middle East over the weekend. The suspension of reciprocal strikes between the United States and Iran after 13 nights of continuous bombardment provided exactly the relief the markets had been waiting for. Although it is still too early to call this peace, even a temporary pause in the conflict sparked a wave of optimism across global financial markets.

However, geopolitics was not the only factor driving Bitcoin higher. The decline in oil prices following the ceasefire also played an important role. Brent crude fell by more than 5%, easing concerns about another surge in inflation. When inflation expectations decline, the dollar tends to weaken, making dollar-denominated assets, including cryptocurrencies, more attractive to international investors.

A Geopolitical Pause: A Fragile Ceasefire and Its Impact on the Markets

Saturday and Sunday brought something many investors had not expected: the United States and Iran, which had spent the previous two weeks exchanging military strikes, suddenly announced a suspension of hostilities. Iran declared that it was prepared to halt retaliatory attacks provided that Washington also refrained from further military action. The United States, in turn, suspended its bombing campaign.

For the markets, this was an extremely powerful signal. A conflict that had...

And you know what? It feels strange and exciting at the same time.

Hi, this is NorthRay.😎

Remember when I said I was looking into cryptocurrency but wasn’t in a hurry to get involved?

Well, I couldn’t resist.

Today, I have Bitcoin in my wallet. Not much—just $100 worth. But it’s there. Real Bitcoin. Mine.

I went through the entire process: registering on Binance, completing verification, funding my account, and making my first purchase. I felt nervous. I had doubts. There were moments when I thought, “What if I mess something up?”

But I did it.

Today I’ll tell you how it happened, what emotions I experienced, and what I learned along the way.

Why I Decided to Do It Now

Honestly? I had been putting it off for a long time.

First, I’m still relatively new to trading. Forex, indices, and gold are already familiar territory for me. Crypto, on the other hand, felt like unexplored wilderness.

Second, it’s scary. Cryptocurrency can drop 20–30% in a single day. That’s no joke.

Then I asked myself: “When exactly will I stop being afraid? In a year? In five years?”

Fear doesn’t disappear on its own. You have to step through it.

I set aside an amount I could afford to lose: $100. For me, it’s not “last-money-in-the-bank” cash. It’s an experimental budget. If it disappears, it’ll be disappointing—but not catastrophic.

So I went for it.🥶

Choosing an Exchange: Why Binance

I explored several options. There are plenty out there: Coinbase, Kraken, Bybit, local exchanges, and others.

In the end, I chose Binance.

Why?

• It’s the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, with high liquidity and millions of users.

• It has a strong reputation and a long track record.

• Security is a major focus.

• The entry barrier is low—you can buy Bitcoin with...

Friday’s Nightmare: When $60,000 Stopped Being Support

On Sunday morning, the crypto community finally exhaled. Not loudly, not joyfully—the kind of exhale that comes after narrowly surviving a disaster. Bitcoin climbed back above $61,000, gaining 1.7% in just a few hours. On a normal day, that wouldn’t even make headlines. But this was no normal week. It was the most brutal week since the collapse of FTX and the imprisonment of Sam Bankman-Fried.

Let’s start with the numbers to grasp the scale of the damage. Bitcoin lost more than 17% over the week. Ethereum fell around 20%. The entire crypto market shed roughly $390 billion in market capitalization. Three hundred ninety billion dollars—more than the GDP of New Zealand or Portugal—vanished in just five days.

Friday was the real horror show. Bitcoin briefly dropped below $60,000. This wasn’t just another price level; it was a psychological wall. When Bitcoin broke above it, everyone was shouting, “To the moon! $100,000 next!” When it fell below, panic took over. If $60,000 couldn’t hold, where was the bottom? $50,000? $45,000? Nobody knew. Nobody wanted to find out. Everyone simply sold.

And now, on Sunday, traders stare at the chart in disbelief. Bitcoin is back around $61,800. It should be a reason to celebrate. Yet the optimism feels nervous, cautious. What if another crash comes tomorrow? What if this is just a dead-cat bounce?

Strategy Sold Bitcoin. Is That a Sign?

Do you know what triggered the panic for many investors? Not macroeconomic news, not Federal Reserve comments, not even the stock market decline. It was news from a company called Strategy.

Formerly known as MicroStrategy, the company rebranded after Bitcoin effectively became its sole reason for existence.

Strategy spent decades building business intelligence software. Then founder Michael Saylor discovered Bitcoin and became obsessed....