Bitcoin Dips, Stocks Stumble Amid AI and Geopolitical Uncertainty

[Para 1: The Lead] Bitcoin and stocks experienced significant downturns on Tuesday, February 03, 2026, as investors expressed heightened concerns over artificial intelligence (AI) advancements and geopolitical tensions. Bitcoin, the world's largest cryptocurrency, fell to its lowest level since November 2024, trading below $75,000, marking a 41% drop from its October record high. The S&P 500 index declined by 1.25%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, saw a 2% drop. [Para 2-3: Supporting details & Context] The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 360 points, or 0.73%. The broader market's risk-averse sentiment was evident in the surge of gold and silver prices, with gold futures gaining 6.8% to $4,967 per troy ounce and silver futures rising 10% to $84.78 per troy ounce. The VIX, a fear gauge, spiked 19%, indicating heightened market volatility. Oil futures also rose, with Brent crude up 1.9% to $67.56 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate up 2.17% to $63.48 per barrel, amid escalating US-Iran tensions. The US dollar index, however, showed a slight decline of 0.23% after a two-day rebound.