Middle East tensions escalating as Iran's military reaches maximum alert status. Hundreds of IRGC units and regular army forces mobilized for readiness drills across Tehran, Shiraz and multiple regions as of early January. The military exercises included missile testing and air defense preparations.

Historically, such geopolitical flare-ups trigger safe-haven asset flows and market volatility. Crypto investors should monitor how traditional markets respond, as capital repositioning often spills into digital assets during periods of elevated global risk. Keep an eye on Bitcoin and stablecoin inflows as potential indicators of broader flight-to-safety sentiment.