Stocks and crypto moved in opposite directions Friday as US-Iran peace talks kept markets on edge. Futures climbed while Bitcoin slid toward a weekly loss.
US stock futures ticked up Friday morning. Dow and S&P 500 futures each rose 0.3%, while Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.5%.
The move followed a rebound Thursday. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Iranian media both pointed to progress in US-Iran negotiations, giving investors some hope.
Markets had a rough start to the week. Concerns about inflation and possible Federal Reserve rate hikes put early pressure on stocks.
Since reports of movement in the talks emerged Wednesday, sentiment has improved. Investors are watching the conflict closely because it has been pushing oil prices higher, which feeds into inflation.
On Friday, the University of Michigan releases fresh consumer sentiment and inflation expectations data. That reading will give a clearer picture of how price pressures are building.
Earnings season is also winding down. Defense and government contractor Booz Allen Hamilton reports results before the opening bell Friday.
Bitcoin fell about 0.5% Thursday to around $77,487. The token was on track for a 1% loss for the week.
Crypto markets have been rattled by the Middle East conflict. Rising oil prices have reignited inflation fears, making investors less willing to hold risky assets like crypto.
US and Iranian officials did acknowledge “some good signs” in talks this week. But major issues remain unresolved.
Iran’s Supreme Leader has insisted the country will keep its enriched uranium stockpile. Rubio rejected Iranian proposals that would place tolls on ships using the Strait of Hormuz.
BREAKING: Iran’s Supreme Leader has ordered that near-weapons-grade uranium must NOT leave Iran, per Reuters citing two senior Iranian sources.
This comes after reports Trump’s latest deal would require Iran to ship its enriched uranium stockpile out of the country. pic.twitter.com/lhrWEfBmGR
— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) May 21, 2026
Those unresolved points kept uncertainty high. That uncertainty drove another wave of forced selling in leveraged crypto positions.
CoinGlass data showed $200 million in crypto liquidations over the past 24 hours.
Markets have also pulled back their expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts this year. Higher energy costs are expected to keep inflation elevated longer.
Analysts say the $76,000 to $77,000 range is a key support zone for Bitcoin. A move back above $80,000 would be needed to bring back bullish momentum.
Institutional buying and steady inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs have helped limit the downside.
Among altcoins, Ethereum fell 0.3% to $2,129. XRP dropped 0.7% to $1.37. Solana edged up 0.5%, while Cardano and Polygon each gained 1%. Dogecoin was flat.
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