Bitunix Analyst: Hormuz Shipping Crisis Spreads to Industrial Metals, Safe-Haven Sentiment Rises as BTC Reclaims 71,300

BlockBeats News, March 16: tensions in the Middle East continued to escalate. U.S. forces carried out military strikes on Iranian energy facilities and are planning naval escorts for oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by warning that the conflict could persist and that any attacks on its energy infrastructure would trigger proportional retaliation against U.S.-related facilities in the region. As shipping risks rise, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has declined noticeably, fueling growing market concerns over the stability of global energy and supply chains.

The spillover effects of the conflict have expanded from the energy sector into industrial metals. One of the world』s largest aluminum smelters has reportedly reduced production by around 20% due to disruptions in raw material supply, while aluminum supply chains across the Gulf region are beginning to experience pressure. The International Energy Agency has indicated that it will release strategic crude reserves into Asian markets to ease near-term supply constraints. If shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz persist, the resulting chain reaction across energy and industrial raw materials could further push up global inflation expectations.

On the macro front, U.S. fourth-quarter GDP was revised down to 0.7%, signaling a notable slowdown in economic momentum. However, core PCE inflation in January remained at 3.1% year-over-year, and the labor market continues to show resilience, with job openings rising to 6.95 million. The combination of slowing growth and persistent inflation has intensified market discussions around potential stagflation risks. Against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions and macro uncertainty, global capital risk appetite remains clearly fragmented.

In the crypto market, BTC has reclaimed the key resistance zone around 71,300, indicating that some risk capital is beginning to return. However, overhead liquidity remains concentrated between 72,700 and 74,000. If price stabilizes above 71,300, the market may enter a new liquidity battleground in the short term. On the downside, liquidity support should be monitored near the 70,200 and 69,000 levels. With geopolitical risks still elevated, the short-term structure of the crypto market continues to be driven primarily by shifts in risk appetite and derivatives liquidity distribution.