Bitcoin Drops Toward $81,800 as US-Israel Strike Plans on Iran Fuel Risk-Off Sentiment

Bitcoin fell below $82,000 to trade near $81,800 following reports that the United States and Israel prepared operational plans for potential military strikes on Iran after the November midterm elections. The escalating tensions sparked risk-off sentiment and inflation worries, pushing Brent crude oil up 2.7% to $111.73 per barrel. Crypto liquidations climbed to $119.1 million as leveraged positions unwound, cutting Bitcoin futures open interest on OKX by roughly $200 million. The decline reversed earlier strength driven by $528 million in net inflows into U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs on October 21.