Bitcoin Surges Above $90,000 as Geopolitical Tensions Lift Crypto and Oil Markets

Bitcoin (BTC) surged sharply on Monday, climbing more than 2% to trade above $90,000, as renewed geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine dampened hopes of an imminent peace deal and pushed oil prices higher. The rally in the world’s largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization injected optimism into the broader crypto market, driving notable gains across major altcoins.

Ether (ETH), XRP, and Solana (SOL) all posted gains of 3% or more, reflecting increased risk appetite among investors. According to CoinDesk data, the positive momentum in digital assets came amid a complex macroeconomic backdrop marked by rising energy prices and lingering global inflation concerns.

In traditional financial markets, crude oil prices advanced as conflict-related developments weighed on supply expectations. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose by approximately 1% to $57.24 per barrel, while Brent crude increased 0.8% to $60.81 per barrel. Higher oil prices often contribute to inflationary pressures, which can boost interest in alternative assets such as Bitcoin, frequently viewed as a hedge against inflation.

Asian equity markets traded cautiously due to thin liquidity during year-end holidays, though South Korea’s KOSPI index stood out with a 1.7% gain, supported by strong performance in semiconductor stocks. The muted trading volumes elsewhere highlighted investor uncertainty amid geopolitical and economic crosscurrents.

Over the weekend, Russia launched an attack on Naftogaz’s Kherson Combined Heat and Power Plant, causing significant damage to infrastructure critical for heating tens of thousands of residents. In response, Ukraine targeted the Syzran oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region, reportedly damaging its primary oil processing unit. These escalations reduced optimism around a potential Russia-Ukraine peace agreement.

This comes despite statements from U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggesting progress on a proposed 20-point peace plan. The Russia-Ukraine war, now approaching its fourth year, continues to disrupt global energy markets and contribute to persistent inflationary trends worldwide.

As uncertainty remains elevated, Bitcoin’s move above $90,000 underscores its growing role as a macro-sensitive asset, closely tied to geopolitical risk, inflation expectations, and shifts in global market sentiment.