BITCOIN SLIDES AS GEOPOLITICAL RISKS SPUR RISK-OFF TRADE Bitcoin fell 1.7% to about $67,600 ahead of the U.S. open, tracking weaker equity futures. Nasdaq 100 futures dropped 0.9% and S&P 500 contracts lost 0.6%. Investors are turning cautious amid rising tensions around Iran, fresh debate over AI’s broader economic impact, and uncertainty over Federal Reserve rate cuts after recent inflation data. Flows remain negative: U.S.-listed Bitcoin ETFs saw a fourth straight week of outflows, with $360 million withdrawn last week. Sentiment is weak, with CryptoQuant’s Fear and Greed Index at 10 (“extreme fear”). Analysts say Bitcoin may consolidate, with $60,000 viewed as key support. But further macro shocks could push prices back toward the $50,000s.(*Walter Bloomberg)