Bitcoin’s Big Comeback: Trump’s Peace Plan Saves the Day (Maybe)!

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Bitcoin, ever the drama queen, made a dramatic return to the spotlight on May 23 after US President Donald Trump claimed a peace memorandum with Iran had been “largely negotiated,” easing market nerves after days of geopolitical theatrics.

BTC, which had earlier plummeted below $75,000-its lowest in a month-later bounced back to around $77,000, a 1.4% gain over 24 hours. Traders, ever the optimists, seemed to believe the US-Iran conflict might finally be heading toward a negotiated pause. Or maybe they just wanted to avoid the existential dread of a nuclear showdown.

Trump, ever the diplomatic maestro, held talks with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain. He also chatted with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. A veritable Who’s Who of global politics, if you ignore the fact that most of them probably just wanted a favor.

US-Iran War to Finally End?

According to Trump, the talks focused on a “Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE.” He added that the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened under the agreement. Because nothing says “peace” like letting ships pass through a chokepoint that’s been a geopolitical tinderbox for decades.

The statement gave markets a clear relief signal. Hormuz had become one of the biggest risks to global assets due to its role in oil and energy flows. Any reopening would reduce pressure on oil markets and lower broader risk sentiment. Or, as traders put it, “Finally, a reason to stop panicking about the end of the world.”

Bitcoin’s move followed a sharp intraday reversal. Because nothing says “confidence” like a 1.4% bounce after a month-long slump.

However, altcoins gained more strongly than Bitcoin. The move suggests traders shifted back into higher-risk assets after the peace-deal headlines reduced short-term fear. Or, as one analyst put it, “We’re all just hoping the peace deal doesn’t collapse like a house of cards… which, honestly, is the only outcome we can expect.”

Altcoins Gain Big Without Ethereum

AI-linked tokens led part of the rebound. NEAR Protocol rose 14.8% over 24 hours and gained more than 62% over the week. Worldcoin also climbed 8.7% on the day and more than 26% over seven days. Because nothing says “trust” like investing in a token named after a sci-fi dystopia.

Privacy-linked assets also moved higher. Zcash gained 8.8% over 24 hours and nearly 28% for the week, making it one of the stronger large-cap performers. Because who wouldn’t want to invest in a cryptocurrency that’s basically a digital ghost town?

Other major altcoins also recovered. Ondo rose 8.5%, Morpho gained 7.8%, and Hyperliquid increased 6.3% over the same period. Because nothing says “stability” like a 7% surge in a token named after a liquid asset.

Still, the recovery depends on whether the agreement moves from public statements to a finalized framework. The key unresolved issues likely include sanctions relief, Iran’s nuclear program, guarantees against renewed attacks, and enforcement around Hormuz. Because nothing says “trust” like a peace deal that’s basically a checklist of unresolved problems.

For now, the market is treating the latest Trump statement as a major de-escalation signal. Bitcoin has recovered from its one-month low, while altcoins are pricing in a stronger risk-on move. Or, as one trader muttered, “Let’s just hope this isn’t the calm before the storm… or the storm before the next calm.”

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2026-05-24 00:59