[Digital Today AI Reporter] Bitcoin is strong, outperforming U.S. stocks and gold, but the market could be shaken if oil rises to $180.

On March 20 (local time), blockchain media outlet Cointelegraph reported that Saudi Arabia warned oil could rise to $180 if Middle East supply disruptions persist.

According to Federal Reserve research, a 10 percent rise in oil prices could lift the consumer price index (CPI) by 0.35 to 0.40 percentage points, and a sharp jump in oil could push U.S. inflation into the 5 percent range. That could weaken expectations for rate cuts and put pressure on risk assets such as bitcoin.

Brent crude is currently around $105 a barrel, up about 50 percent since the U.S.-Iran war. As the market shifts to a tightening stance, the chance of a rate cut in 2026 has fallen and the first cut has been postponed to October 2027. That could raise borrowing costs and dampen investment sentiment toward bitcoin and stocks.

Bitcoin recently fell below $70,000, and the possibility of further declines has been raised. Demand has fallen as Michael Saylor's Strategy stopped buying bitcoin, and the Coinbase premium is also trending lower. Bitcoin's next direction is expected to become more volatile depending on oil price moves and U.S. interest rate policy.