In a wide‑ranging market breakdown, Levi Rietveld, a popular crypto analyst, linked rising geopolitical risk in the Middle East and a developing helium shortage to renewed pressure on XRP and broader digital assets.
At the same time, a major U.S. policy proposal quietly opens the door for trillions of dollars in retirement capital to enter crypto.
Oil Choke-Points, “New World Order” Buzz & XRP’s Downside
In his latest research, Levi Rietveld frames the current standoff around the Strait of Hormuz as a fight for global power with clear market consequences.
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Citing recent comments by Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov about a “reshaping of the new world order” the host argues that control of oil flows through the region will determine which blocs can dictate terms to the rest of the world.
According to the breakdown, if the U.S. succeeds in securing de facto control over Hormuz, it would gain leverage not just over China but much of Asia and the Middle East. Allies trading in dollars could receive preferential oil pricing, while opponents risk sanctions and economic isolation.
That looming realignment, Levi says, is already feeding into risk repricing and “more downside pressure on XRP” alongside a higher probability that the Federal Reserve is forced to hike rates again to combat inflation.
Levi Rietveld highlights that the U.S., now the world’s largest oil producer and newly influential in Venezuela, is relatively insulated from supply disruption, while Asian importers like Japan, China and Australia are far more exposed.
Domestic oil and gas producers, he argues, are “taking full advantage” by hiking prices and effectively exporting inflation risk back into financial markets, including crypto.
Levi Says Iran’s Tech Threats & a Helium Squeeze Can Hit AI
Tensions escalate further in the segment with a focus on Iranian retaliation threats. The analyst cites a warning from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that it could target 18 U.S. technology companies — including Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Google, Tesla, Intel, Oracle, IBM, Meta and Boeing — if U.S. assassinations of Iranian leaders continue after April 1.
“What happens when AWS servers over in Israel or other neighboring countries get blown up?” the host asks, arguing that attacks on cloud infrastructure and supply chains would directly hit the AI build‑out that now underpins much of Big Tech’s valuation and capex — and, by extension, risk sentiment for crypto.
A less obvious but potentially important stress point is helium.
Levi cites a notice from U.S. industrial gas supplier Airgas declaring force majeure, saying it would meet only up to 50% of a customer’s monthly helium demand amid the “Iran war” and the closure of Hormuz, which they claim has constrained about 30% of global helium supply.
Air gas, according to the host, added a $13.50 per 100 cubic feet surcharge above contract prices.
Hundreds of specialized $1 million cryogenic containers are described as “stuck in the Middle East,” putting helium‑dependent AI infrastructure at risk and choking off another input for data centers.
401(k) Crypto Access & XRP’s Current Trading Levels
Despite the piling macro threats, the analyst points to a substantial structural positive: a U.S. Department of Labor proposal that would open roughly $10 trillion in 401(k) retirement plans to crypto and other digital asset investments.
Levi Rietveld describes this as a “huge green signal for XRP and for the entire crypto industry,” noting the scale of potential inflows if even a small allocation becomes standard.
He also highlights comments from BlackRock fixed‑income chief Rick Rieder, who reportedly expects the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates despite the inflationary risks from energy and supply shocks.
The analyst floats the possibility that Rieder “knows something that maybe we don’t,” hinting at a potential de‑escalation path that could soften macro headwinds.
On XRP specifically, the host says the token is trading around $1.31, with nearby support at $1.28. They expect that level to be tested “within the next couple of days… before the end of the week,” and plan to trade around the volatility while also viewing any geopolitically driven sell‑off as a “life‑changing opportunity” for long‑term accumulation.
For crypto investors, the message is blunt: Gulf tensions and supply shocks are feeding into rate expectations and tech‑sector risk, which can weigh on XRP and the broader market in the short term.
At the same time, structural shifts such as proposed 401(k) access and ongoing institutional adoption may be laying the groundwork for the next leg of the cycle once the current geopolitical fog clears.
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The analyst believes rising geopolitical risk and potential oil and helium supply shocks could push investors toward safety, increase inflation pressures, and force higher interest rates — all of which tend to weigh on risk assets like XRP in the short term.
Helium is critical for certain cryogenic systems used in AI and high‑end data centers. A supply crunch tied to Gulf disruptions could slow AI infrastructure growth, hurt major tech firms, and indirectly damage overall risk appetite, including for crypto.
The proposed Department of Labor rule could allow part of an estimated $10 trillion in retirement assets to be allocated to digital assets, potentially creating a large, regulated demand channel for tokens like XRP.
Tactically, they expect more downside pressure amid global tensions, but strategically they view volatility and dips — toward support around $1.28 — as attractive long‑term accumulation opportunities.
