Bitcoin Holds Near $90K as U.S. Military Operation in Venezuela Shakes Markets

Bitcoin held steady near $90,000 following U.S. military strikes in Venezuela that captured President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026. The operation, dubbed Operation Absolute Resolve, marks an unprecedented American intervention in the South American nation. Crypto markets swung dramatically in response, with traders seeking refuge in decentralized assets.

President Donald Trump publicly declared the U.S. “in charge” of Venezuela’s transition. He signaled a strategic focus on restoring the country’s energy infrastructure. Venezuela holds 303 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, drawing intense speculation about future resource control.

🚨 JUST IN: PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYS U.S. COMPANIES ARE GOING INTO VENEZUELA AND TAKING THE OIL OUT OF THE GROUND. “THEY STOLE OUR OIL, WE’RE GONNA TAKE OUR OIL BACK.” pic.twitter.com/c48bPLUSRV

— Coinwaft (@coinwaft) January 5, 2026

The intervention sent shockwaves through global commodities and digital asset markets. Bitcoin briefly dipped but demonstrated resilience amid the geopolitical turmoil. Other major tokens posted fractional gains as investors repositioned their portfolios.

Specialized tokens tied to political narratives surged during heavy trading sessions. WLFI, linked to Trump Media, jumped over 16% in the aftermath of the announcement.

Crypto Markets Weather Geopolitical Storm

Nic Puckrin, founder of crypto media firm Coin Bureau, commented on the market reaction via X. He noted that geopolitical fear did not translate into crypto fear.

The market’s relative calm surprised some observers. Bitcoin’s stability near $90,000 contrasted with volatility seen in traditional markets. Several macro hedge funds on X suggested potential oil price shocks could undermine fiat confidence.

Meanwhile, traders began positioning across oil, equities, and crypto simultaneously. Assets benefiting from concerns about U.S. dollar strength attracted particular attention. Capital flows into Bitcoin and hard digital assets increased as uncertainty mounted.

Policy analysts noted that tariff-heavy stances and sanctions pressure may constrain Venezuela’s sovereign crypto use. The state-linked Petro token faces potential new restrictions under tightened external controls.

Venezuela’s Crypto Adoption Accelerates Under Pressure

Venezuela already ranked as a global standout in crypto adoption before the military intervention. A 2025 report placed the country 13th worldwide in individual crypto usage. Economic sanctions and bolívar volatility drove widespread adoption.

Stablecoins account for nearly 30% of on-chain activity within Venezuela. USDT and similar assets facilitate commerce, remittances, and even oil sales. These transactions bypass traditional financial blockades imposed by international sanctions.

One Venezuelan economist tweeted that crypto serves as survival infrastructure for citizens. This sentiment echoes across regional crypto discourse and community forums.

🇻🇪 Crypto isn’t speculation in Venezuela , it’s survival.
With hyperinflation, wage collapse, and cash shortages, people are turning to stablecoins like USDT to keep life moving.#UquidResearch #USDT #Venezuela pic.twitter.com/lYv4g0HgjI

— Tran Hung (@spaftu) August 28, 2025

Following this development, analysts predict divergence between official restrictions and everyday use cases. External controls historically correlate with increased decentralized asset adoption in sanctioned nations.

The U.S. government recently ended a historic 43-day shutdown with a new funding package. President Trump signed the agreement late Wednesday, keeping the government running through January. The deal funds key agencies through fiscal year 2026.

Despite the government reopening, Bitcoin continues facing downward pressure. Broader market dynamics appear to outweigh positive political developments. Liquidity is set to increase as federal paychecks resume.