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Bitcoin and major altcoins faced fresh geopolitical tension on January 3. US forces launched a large-scale operation in Venezuela, and Trump said they captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. He named First Lady Cilia Flores in the announcement. Traders monitored risk assets while crypto prices showed only brief volatility.
Bitcoin slipped below $90,000 soon after reports of explosions in Caracas and Trump’s Truth Social statement about the operation. The price briefly traded around $89,300 to $89,600 before buyers stepped in and slowed the decline.
By late morning in New York, Bitcoin traded just under $90,000, recovering most of the initial move lower. Intraday data showed the drop as a short-lived shock rather than the start of a deeper sell-off.
Ethereum followed a similar pattern, dipping toward $3,000 before recovering near $3,100. XRP mirrored the swing, falling toward $1.90 before bouncing back above $2.00. The combined performance suggested that traders trimmed risk quickly but did not unwind positions aggressively.
Analysts cited thin early-year liquidity and elevated leverage as factors that can amplify reactions to surprise political events. They also said the market’s ability to stabilize indicated that many holders still treat large-cap tokens as medium-term positions.
The strike marks a new phase in a confrontation that has built for years around oil, sanctions, and contested legitimacy. Relations deteriorated after Hugo Chávez nationalized key industries, shifted foreign policy, and aligned Venezuela with the rivals of Washington.
Under Maduro, Venezuela entered a deep economic crisis marked by hyperinflation, shortages, and large-scale migration. US officials rejected the legitimacy of recent elections, expanded sanctions, and accused senior figures of running a narcotics-linked network.
In the early hours of January 3, residents in Caracas reported blasts and low-flying aircraft over the capital. Witnesses also described activity over nearby states. Venezuelan authorities declared a national emergency and blamed the US for strikes on military and strategic locations.
Trump said the mission formed part of a wider effort against drug trafficking and corruption. US officials later announced indictments for Maduro and Cilia Flores in New York on drug trafficking and weapons-related charges.
Venezuela ranks among the most active countries in cryptocurrency use. Residents seek alternatives to a volatile local currency and capital controls. Research and on-chain data highlight strong peer-to-peer trading volumes and rising stablecoin usage inside the country.
Analysts said the strike and reported capture of Maduro could introduce new uncertainty for that ecosystem. Sanctions policy and access to trading platforms may both come under renewed pressure. Domestic demand for digital assets in Venezuela may also face additional tests as events develop.
For now, market data shows a brief risk-off reaction followed by stabilization rather than a sustained exit from crypto. Traders continue to track statements from Washington and Caracas. They also watch legal steps in the United States as they reassess positioning at the start of 2026.
Also Read: JPMorgan Freezes Stablecoin Accounts Linked to Venezuela
