On Thursday, April 23, risk sentiment improved across global markets as hopes that the U.S.-Iran ceasefire could hold lifted equities and crypto, while renewed disruption risk in the Strait of Hormuz kept oil elevated and gold firmly supported.
Crypto
The crypto market moved higher, with total market capitalization at $2.63 trillion, the Fear and Greed Index at 63, the Altcoin Season Index at 34 out of 100, and average crypto RSI at 55.42, a set of readings that still points to a Bitcoin-led advance rather than a full move into smaller tokens. Bitcoin rose 3.26% to $78,837, Ethereum gained 2.95% to $2,395.74, BNB added 1.96% to $644.08, and Solana climbed 1.45% to $87.28 as traders added risky assets after the ceasefire extension eased some of the immediate pressure on broader markets.
Spot Bitcoin ETF flows also stayed supportive over the last three reported sessions, with net inflows of $664 million on April 17, $238 million on April 20, and $12 million on April 21. BlackRock’s IBIT brought in $284 million, $256 million, and $39 million across those sessions, showing that institutional demand remained present through the latest move higher.
Commodities
Oil stayed firm near recent highs, with U.S. crude at $92.59, up 2.64%, and Brent at $102.349, up 2.45%, as traders continued to price the risk of supply disruption after reports of gunfire hitting ships in Hormuz and Iran’s seizure of vessels in the waterway.
Gold rose 0.43% to $4,740.160, while silver gained 1.22% to $77.7340, with both metals supported by safe-haven demand as investors weighed the ceasefire extension against the lack of any clear resolution around shipping risk and regional stability.
Stock Market Indices
U.S. equities pushed higher, with the S&P 500 at 7,132.17, up 0.96%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average at 49,450.49, up 0.61%, and the Nasdaq Composite at 24,618.24, up 1.48%. The move suggested investors were willing to add exposure to technology and growth shares again, helped by earnings and by the idea that a wider regional escalation may have been delayed for now.
Globally, Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.05% to 59,770, while the FTSE 100 rose 0.27% to 10,463.1, leaving Europe steadier than Asia as energy-linked support balanced the cautious scene.
Geopolitics and Market Sentiment
On the diplomatic front, investors took some comfort from the extension of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, but that relief was limited by Iran’s seizure of ships and by continued uncertainty over whether any durable talks can follow. The main market effect was clear, with the ceasefire helping risk assets recover while the threat to Hormuz kept oil and gold supported.
On the economic front, investors are now watching whether high energy prices begin to feed inflation expectations and rate views, while in the United States the focus stays on earnings strength and whether markets can hold this firmer tone if geopolitical headlines worsen again.
