Bitcoin Holds Near $64K as US–Iran Talks Advance While Crypto Markets Lag the Risk Rally

Asian equities and technology shares advanced after the U.S. and Iran agreed on a roadmap toward a final peace deal, a development that pushed oil prices below $80. In contrast, crypto markets remained subdued, with bitcoin down about 2% on the week and memecoins leading losses across the sector.

Bitcoin began the week hovering near $64,000, missing out on the broader rally in Asian equities as progress emerged in U.S.–Iran efforts toward a more durable peace agreement.

The token traded around $63,996 on Monday, slipping 0.4% over 24 hours and 2.2% for the week, according to CoinDesk data. Elsewhere in crypto, performance was mixed: solana gained 3.7% on the week to $74 and tron rose 2.2%, while ether remained largely unchanged at $1,733. Weakness was more pronounced among larger altcoins, with BNB down 4.2%, XRP falling 4.3% to $1.13, and dogecoin leading declines with a 6.5% drop. Hyperliquid’s HYPE, which had been a standout earlier in the month, fell 5% on the day and eased to a 1.9% weekly gain.

Despite a more supportive macro backdrop, crypto failed to follow the broader risk-on move. The U.S. and Iran agreed on a 60-day roadmap toward a final peace deal, while Brent crude declined 1.7% to roughly $79 per barrel.

Asian markets, as tracked by an MSCI index, rose 0.6%, driven by a tech-led rally fueled by continued enthusiasm around artificial intelligence. U.S. equity futures, however, were slightly weaker, with S&P 500 contracts down 0.5%.

According to a joint statement reported by Bloomberg, mediators Qatar and Pakistan said progress had been made, including plans for further technical discussions and a communication channel to ensure safe passage of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Still, the situation remains fragile. Talks reportedly got off to a shaky start on Sunday after Iran briefly suspended participation following renewed strike threats from President Donald Trump tied to ongoing regional tensions, before both sides agreed to establish communication channels to prevent escalation.

Bitcoin has broadly tracked risk assets throughout the Iran-related developments but is beginning the week flat even as equities push higher. The key question ahead is whether the 60-day roadmap holds and whether crypto eventually re-engages with the improving risk sentiment or continues to trade in a narrow range below early-June levels.