Bitcoin falls back towards $60,000 as tensions rise within the Middle East

Cryptocurrencies were under pressure on Wednesday afterward Bitcoin slid back to $60,000 to start out what would normally be its strongest month.

The flagship cryptocurrency was last down greater than 1% at $60,767.64, in response to Coin Metrics. It previously briefly fell to $59,983.64. ether last traded 5% lower at $2,367.11.

Crypto exchange Coinbase hovered below the flat line while Bitcoin Proxy Microstrategy increased by greater than 1%.

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Crypto assets fall from October and into the fourth quarter

Rising tensions within the Middle East dampened investor risk appetite initially of the brand new trading month and quarter. On Tuesday, Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on Israel in retaliation for the recent killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and an Iranian commander in Lebanon.

“Increasing unrest in the Middle East has pushed up oil prices and bolstered the strength of the dollar, casting a shadow over Bitcoin and other speculative investments,” said Chris Kline, chief operating officer and co-founder of Bitcoin IRA.

“In stark contrast to Bitcoin's stronger-than-expected performance in September, October is shaping up to be a potential roller coaster ride, influenced by the delayed impact of last spring's halving and the upcoming divisive election campaign in the US,” he added. “Meanwhile, a global tug-of-war over monetary policy is unfolding as various central banks cut interest rates and expand their money supply.”

Additionally, investors are watching a strike by members of the International Longshoremen's Association on the East and Gulf Coasts, which could impact the U.S. economy depending on how long it lasts.

October and November are historically the strongest months of the 12 months for Bitcoin. It has finished higher in all but two years since 2013 this month, delivering a median return of nearly 23%. It has grow to be referred to as “Uptober” amongst local cryptocurrency investors.

Bitcoin struggled to interrupt its $70,000 ceiling, although the $55,000 threshold provided strong support for the crypto asset. Some investors doubt that October will likely be the month it finally comes back to life, but most remain optimistic that the cryptocurrency will reach recent highs in the brand new quarter.

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