Iran Peace Deal Hopes Lift Bitcoin Back Above $73K, But Retail Warns CLARITY Act Stalemate Is The Real Overhang

• Retail traders on Stocktwits blamed the stalled CLARITY Act for Bitcoin’s weakness.
• Sentiment around Bitcoin on Stocktwits slipped into ‘extremely bearish’ territory even after BTC clawed back above $73,000 later in the session.
• Some Stocktwits users said any ceasefire would be “irrelevant” unless it included guarantees tied to the Strait of Hormuz.

Shares of Robinhood Markets (HOOD) led gains among crypto-linked equities on Thursday afternoon, even as Bitcoin (BTC) remained in the red and retail traders on Stocktwits grew increasingly skeptical that a reported U.S.-Iran ceasefire would do much to ease pressure on global markets.

Bitcoin's price recovered back above $73,000 after briefly sliding lower earlier in the session but remained down about 2.1% over the past 24 hours. Retail sentiment around the apex cryptocurrency on Stocktwits dipped to 'extremely bearish' from 'bearish' territory over the past day, while chatter rose to 'high' from 'normal' levels. 

The session's dominant topic of discussion on the platform was the stalled CLARITY Act, with bulls citing the lack of regulatory clarity as the key overhang on prices.

Some forecast that Bitcoin’s price could be setting a higher-low, but a move below $70,000 could lead to a deeper correction.

Robinhood Leads Rebound In Crypto-Linked Stocks

Against that backdrop, crypto-linked equities caught a break as oil prices pulled back and the stock market edged higher. HOOD's stock climbed more than 7% in afternoon trade, also boosted by the launch of its Trump Accounts app. Retail sentiment around the firm on Stocktwits rose to 'neutral' from 'bearish' territory, though chatter stayed at 'low' levels. 

Other crypto-linked large caps, including Riot Platforms (RIOT) and Coinbase Global (COIN) also moved higher. However, the Bitcoin proxy Strategy (MSTR), continued to book losses. 

Shares of Riot Platforms and Coinbase Global rose over 3% each. MSTR's stock was the exception, falling 1.76% in line with Bitcoin's weakness.

Retail Traders Question Iran Ceasefire Impact On Oil Markets

The broader stock market moving higher was driven by an Axios report that U.S. and Iranian officials had discussed a potential 60-day ceasefire framework awaiting approval from President Donald Trump, citing U.S. officials. 

Oil prices, which had surged earlier after a fresh round of U.S. military strikes on Iranian targets, pared gains sharply on the news. Brent crude fell 1.2% to $93.36 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate dipped 0.5% to $88.61. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) gained 0.5%, the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) rose 0.9%, and the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (DIA) edged up 0.03%.

Retail traders on Stocktwits were quick to question whether the geopolitical development would materially ease pressure on global energy markets. 

For crypto markets, the afternoon recovery in equities provided a floor rather than a catalyst. The overall crypto market capitalization remained down on the day near $2.53 trillion, with nearly $1 billion in leveraged positions liquidated over the prior 24 hours. 

Read also: PCE Report In Line: Bitcoin Still Drops Below $73K After 1.6% GDP Revision, ETF Selling Pressure

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