News View Non-AMP

Crypto Market Today: Is Trump’s 500% Tariff on Russian Oil Buyers the Start of a Bigger Sell-Off?

Published by
Rizwan Ansari and Sohrab Khawas

Tariff trade war is once again escalated after President Trump signed off on a bipartisan bill imposing at least 500% tariff on countries purchasing Russian oil, including India, China, and Brazil

The impact was immediate, with the crypto market dropping 3.4%. Is this just a short-term shock, or the start of a much bigger crypto sell-off?

Trump’s 500% Tariff Bill Targets Russian Oil Buyers

According to the public statements, Trump has approved a major bipartisan bill that allows tariffs of at least 500% on goods imported from countries purchasing Russian oil, gas, or uranium. 

The policy directly targets major BRICS nations such as India, China, and Brazil, aiming to cut off funding linked to Russia’s war efforts.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham confirmed the move on social media, stating that President Trump approved the bill after a high-level meeting. 

Graham said the bill is designed to “punish countries buying cheap Russian oil that fuels Putin’s war machine,” adding that a bipartisan vote could happen as early as next week.

Crypto Market Reacts Immediately

The crypto market has not waited for the bill to pass fully. The impact is already visible. Over the last 24 hours, the total crypto market capitalization has dropped to $3.19 trillion, marking a 3.23% decline. 

Bitcoin and other large-cap cryptocurrencies have fallen between 3% and 8%, signaling rising risk aversion among investors.

This reaction mirrors previous tariff-related fears. Last year, in October 2025, when President Trump threatened extreme tariffs on Chinese imports, crypto markets saw nearly $19 billion in liquidations in a day. 

At that time, Bitcoin plunged from its all-time high near $126,000 to below $100,000, showing how sensitive digital assets are to global trade shocks.

Indian Stock Market Drops To Weekly Low

Traditional markets are also flashing warning signs. India’s benchmark NIFTY fell to a new weekly low, with all major sectors trading in the red after news of the tariff mandate. 

This matters for crypto because sharp sell-offs in emerging markets often spill into risk assets globally, including digital currencies.

Will Crypto See Another Major Crash?

Whether this dip turns into a bigger crash depends on how strict the tariffs become and how other countries respond. 

If trade tensions last longer, investors may move their money into safer assets, which could put more pressure on crypto prices.

For now, the market is clearly on edge, Bitcoin is trading around $90,234, while Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and others are facing 4% to 10% losses.

FAQs

Why is the crypto market down today?

Crypto is down due to rising trade war fears, risk-off sentiment, and investors reducing exposure after Trump’s proposed 500% tariff plan.

How do tariffs on oil buyers affect Bitcoin and altcoins?

Tariffs can weaken emerging markets and global liquidity, reducing risk appetite and causing sell-offs across Bitcoin and altcoins.

Could this lead to a crypto crash similar to past tariff scares?

A crash is possible only if tariffs escalate and persist. Past events show sharp drops, but recovery followed once fears eased.

What should crypto investors watch next after this tariff news?

Key signals include final passage of the bill, global market reactions, and Bitcoin holding major support levels in coming days.

Rizwan Ansari and Sohrab Khawas

Rizwan is an experienced Crypto journalist with almost half a decade of experience covering everything related to the growing crypto industry — from price analysis to blockchain disruption. During this period, he’s authored more than 3,000 news articles for Coinpedia News.

Recent Posts

Bitcoin Dip Below $70K Is Temporary: Eric Trump, Brian Armstrong, and Arthur Hayes Says

Bitcoin (BTC) has dropped 2.2% on Wednesday, Feb 18, 2026, to trade at about $66,446…

February 19, 2026

Is Litecoin’s (LTC) Price Rally Over—Or Is a Surprise Breakout Coming?

Litecoin isn’t the market favorite it once was. Since the beginning of the year, the…

February 18, 2026

The XRP Flywheel Effect: Why Price Discovery May Become Inevitable as Corridors Flip

XRP is once again at the center of market discussions after new commentary from analysts…

February 18, 2026

‘Everyone Should Watch This Signal’: XRP RSI Suggests Bottom Is In, $10 Seen Next

The price of XRP is currently trading near $1.46, and some analysts say an important…

February 18, 2026

Hyperliquid News Today: $29M DeFi Policy Center Launches in Washington, CEO Named

Hyperliquid has launched the Hyperliquid Policy Center (HPC), a nonprofit research and advocacy group based…

February 18, 2026

Chainlink Back in Pre-Breakout Accumulation Zone—Will LINK Price Stay Below $10?

Chainlink price is once again trading at a critical turning point. After losing most of…

February 18, 2026