Early Aug 31 (Beijing time), U.S. Central Command confirmed a strike on Iranian rocket launchers near the Strait of Hormuz, prompting an Iranian IRGC missile response on a U.S. base. Bitcoin fell to roughly $77,000 from highs near $79,300, crude oil jumped nearly 2–2.3%, and Coinglass recorded about $180M in crypto liquidations, mostly longs, within an hour.
Matters because: This is a clear negative catalyst for risk assets if tensions continue, though the initial reaction has been contained relative to prior shocks.