Leading cryptocurrencies slid sharply amid a significant escalation in geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. What Happened: Bitcoin tumbled from $66,500 to the early $64,000s late afternoon after Iran’s supreme leader ordered a direct strike on Israel. The apex cryptocurrency was little changed earlier in the day, despite Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s indication of a potential rate cut in September. Bitcoin’s slide caused other altcoin majors to slip, with Ethereum and Dogecoin recording sharp 24-hour declines. The slump resulted in the liquidation of $177.17 million over the last …
