Geopolitical Tensions
Seoul stocks plunge over 12% amid Middle East tensions
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Seoul's stock market plunged for a second day, with the KOSPI index falling 12.06% to close at 5,093.54 amid fears of economic fallout from the Middle East conflict. The Korean won weakened sharply against the U.S. dollar, trading at 1,476.20 won, down 10.1 won. The downturn followed U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Bitcoin experienced volatility on February 18, 2026, trading in a tight range before dropping to around $66,000 in the U.S. afternoon following hawkish Federal Reserve minutes. Crypto-related stocks initially rebounded but later reversed gains, while liquidations neared $200 million. Geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic uncertainty contributed to the market's choppy performance.
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Bitcoin fell 1.7% to around $67,600 on Tuesday, influenced by rising geopolitical concerns and outflows from exchange-traded funds. The cryptocurrency's price movement mirrored declines in equity futures, highlighting its growing ties to broader market sentiment. Investors are showing caution due to tensions around Iran and uncertainties in AI's economic role and Federal Reserve policies.