Traditional Finance Alert: VIX Rises Over 12%

Geopolitical Shock Sends Markets and Crypto Reeling

Global markets faced turmoil after U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, causing volatility in oil, gold, and crypto. Bitcoin briefly plunged but recovered, while energy price shocks raise inflation concerns, affecting investor sentiment and market structure.

BTC 15-minute sharp decline of 1.60%: Bullish liquidation and risk aversion sentiment intensify short-term selling pressure

2026-03-03 16:30 to 16:45 (UTC), BTC experienced significant short-term volatility, with price ranges between 67485.3 and 68829.8 USDT, yielding a return of -1.60%, and an amplitude reaching 1.95%. At the edge of extreme panic and market bottom, investor attention continues to rise, and trading activity fluctuates with increased volatility. The main driver of this movement is leveraged unwinding and long liquidations in the derivatives market. Data shows that the funding rate is negative (-0.0081%), with retail longs accounting for as much as 65%, indicating a market where "retail investors chase gains, while institutions are on the other side."

S&P 500 Software Index rises back to intraday highs

ChainCatcher reports that, according to Gate market data, the S&P 500 software index has erased its losses and risen to an intraday high.

ETH short-term surge of 1.30%: On-chain large transfers and concentrated liquidity drive price breakthrough of resistance

On March 3, 2026, from 16:00 to 16:15 (UTC), ETH achieved a short-term profit of +1.30%, with the price fluctuating between 1965.11 and 2001.75 USDT, a volatility of 1.86%. Market attention significantly increased, minute-level trading volume surged, volatility intensified, and short-term capital was actively chasing gains. The main drivers of this anomaly were large inflows of on-chain funds and whale activities. Ceffu's hot wallet transferred a large amount of 15,000 ETH to a major exchange on the same day, whales recharged USDC margins, and large on-chain transfers were active, driving flow.

Euro against the US dollar drops 2.1%, marking the largest two-day decline since September 2022

ChainCatcher message, according to Gate market data, the Euro against the US Dollar (EUR/USD) has fallen 2.1% since last Friday, potentially marking the largest two-day decline since September 2022.

The US Dollar Index rises over 1%, and non-US currencies generally decline

ChainCatcher reports that according to Gate market data, the US Dollar Index DXY continues to rise, currently at 99.52, with a daily increase of 1%. The Australian Dollar against the US Dollar (AUD/USD) dropped 2% intraday, the New Zealand Dollar against the US Dollar (NZD/USD) fell 1.5%, the Euro against the US Dollar (EUR/USD) declined 1.2%, and the British Pound against the US Dollar (GBP/USD) decreased nearly 1%.