Crypto market edges higher as short squeeze builds, Alphabet shares surge

The crypto market rose around 1.2% on Friday, with total market capitalization ticking higher as a wave of short liquidations and stronger tech-led risk sentiment lifted prices despite persistent geopolitical tensions.

Bitcoin (BTC) climbed roughly 1.5% to trade near the $77,000 level after rebounding from recent lows, while Ethereum (ETH) gained about 1% to hover around $2,200. Major altcoins such as XRP (XRP), BNB (BNB), and Solana (SOL) also moved higher by 1–2%, reflecting a broader recovery across the market.

The move higher was largely driven by a short squeeze in derivatives markets. More than $150 million in crypto positions were liquidated over the past 24 hours, with roughly 70% of those tied to short positions. The forced unwinding of bearish bets added upward pressure as traders rushed to cover positions.

The rebound comes even as geopolitical risks remain elevated, particularly around the U.S.–Iran standoff.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said the U.S. naval presence near Iranian ports amounts to an “extension of military operations,” calling it “intolerable.” U.S. President Donald Trump added that Washington “might need” to restart military action, while offering limited transparency on the status of negotiations.

Despite these developments, markets showed signs of resilience, suggesting that much of the geopolitical risk may already be priced in for now. Oil prices remained elevated but steadied after recent volatility linked to the Strait of Hormuz tensions. Brent crude held near the $110–$111 per barrel range, while WTI crude traded just below that level, easing slightly from recent spikes that had raised fears of supply disruptions.

At the same time, safe-haven assets softened. Gold slipped over 1% during the session, while silver also declined, indicating a partial rotation back into risk assets. This shift provided additional support to crypto markets.

Alphabet Inc. rally lifts tech and crypto-linked equities

Broader market sentiment improved sharply after Alphabet Inc. shares surged roughly 10% following stronger-than-expected earnings driven by its cloud and AI segments. The move added hundreds of billions of dollars in market value and lifted global tech stocks.

The rally extended into Asian markets, where tech-heavy indices such as the Nikkei 225 moved higher, reinforcing a risk-on tone across asset classes.

Crypto-linked equities also tracked the move. Shares of Coinbase and MicroStrategy rose alongside Bitcoin’s recovery, reflecting renewed investor appetite for digital asset exposure. Mining stocks also saw gains as improving prices and sentiment supported the sector.

While the latest move points to improving near-term sentiment, analysts note that crypto markets remain highly sensitive to further developments in U.S.–Iran tensions, oil price movements, and shifts in global liquidity conditions.