Bitcoin Slides Below $93,000 as Risk Sentiment Weakens

Key Moments

Bitcoin Softens as Risk-Off Mood Returns

Bitcoin edged lower on Wednesday, giving back part of its short-lived recovery from the previous session as investor caution resurfaced. Heightened geopolitical uncertainty and investor wariness ahead of key U.S. economic releases weighed on demand for risk-oriented assets, including cryptocurrencies.

The broader crypto complex saw only a modest response to MSCI’s recent index decision, limiting any upside momentum. Digital assets, which had started the year on a mildly positive note, remained trapped in a narrow trading range.

Bitcoin was down 1.1% at $92,543.7 by 00:58 ET (05:58 GMT), reflecting subdued risk appetite across global markets.

Geopolitics and U.S. Data Watch Curb Risk Appetite

Market sentiment stayed fragile as geopolitical tensions intensified. A worsening diplomatic rift between China and Japan added to nerves, while investors awaited further clarity on the U.S. approach toward Venezuela.

At the same time, anticipation of key U.S. economic data later in the week kept traders on edge, dampening enthusiasm for high-risk assets. The combination of geopolitical and macroeconomic concerns contributed to a cautious tone across crypto markets.

MSCI Keeps Digital Asset Treasuries in Indexes

MSCI stated on Tuesday that it will not advance a proposal to exclude digital asset treasury companies, such as Strategy Inc (NASDAQ: MSTR), from its indexes. Instead, the index provider plans to conduct a broader review on how to treat non-operating companies – those without established revenue streams – within its benchmarks.

The decision means Strategy will remain in MSCI’s global indexes for the time being. Shares of the company, widely regarded as the largest corporate Bitcoin treasury, jumped 6% in aftermarket trading on Tuesday following the announcement.

However, this post-market rally followed a weak regular session for the stock. Strategy had closed the main session down 4.1% after revealing a sizable $17.44 billion unrealized loss on its digital asset holdings in the fourth quarter of 2025.

The company’s equity performance has also been under pressure, with its share price nearly halving in 2025. The decline came amid an extended downturn in Bitcoin prices and growing investor skepticism about the sustainability of its debt-funded Bitcoin acquisition strategy.

Altcoin Performance Mixed as Markets Turn Defensive

Across the broader crypto universe, prices moved in a flat-to-lower range on Wednesday, reflecting the broader risk-off bias.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Venezuela will supply between 30 to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, a comment that stirred volatility in crude markets. Global risk sentiment had already been unsettled earlier in the week by the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Investors also remained cautious ahead of a slate of U.S. economic releases due this week, with particular attention on nonfarm payrolls data scheduled for Friday. The lack of clear positive catalysts kept digital assets pinned in a subdued trading band, despite some strength earlier in the year.

Major Tokens and Meme Coins: Price Snapshot

Among major altcoins, performance diverged:

While the crypto market showed some resilience at the start of the year, the latest session underscored how quickly sentiment can shift when geopolitical concerns and macroeconomic uncertainty rise to the forefront.