The crypto market isn’t living up to expectations under the Trump administration. Investors had high hopes that regulatory reforms and the Bitcoin Strategic Reserve would push prices higher, but instead, Bitcoin has dropped from over $100,000 at the start of the year to the mid-$80,000s throughout March.
Now, with Trump preparing for a major tariff announcement on April 2 at 4 p.m. ET – dubbed “Liberation Day” – the market is on edge. He is expected to introduce new tariffs on 15 countries, including China, Canada, and Mexico—nations that have already placed tariffs on the U.S.
As trade tensions rise and financial markets grow more volatile, crypto’s next move could be unpredictable. Here’s what you need to know.
The trade war has put pressure on financial markets, with the S&P 500 dropping more than 2% in the past five days. Bitcoin often moves in line with stocks, so further volatility is likely.
Crypto prices have also taken a hit as they become more linked to traditional assets like stocks and bonds, both of which are struggling due to economic uncertainty. Investors are growing nervous about a possible global recession, making them less willing to take risks on assets like Bitcoin.
Marc Ostwald, Chief Economist at ADM Investor Services International, says investors are becoming more cautious, pushing them toward gold instead of crypto. Gold has risen 18% this year, strengthening its role as the go-to safe-haven asset.
However, some analysts believe Bitcoin could still take over gold’s position in the future. Omid Malekan, an adjunct professor at Columbia Business School, argues that Bitcoin could eventually be seen as the “new gold.” While tariffs and crypto remain unpredictable, he believes Bitcoin could become a preferred asset in times of uncertainty, just like gold.
Zach Pandl, head of research at Grayscale, believes the worst of the tariff impact on crypto may already be factored into prices. He suggests that if Trump’s tariff plans are introduced gradually, financial markets could recover, which might also help Bitcoin.
He also points out that Circle’s upcoming IPO is a sign that institutions still have confidence in crypto. According to Pandl, the new tariffs could weaken demand for the U.S. dollar, which might push investors toward alternative assets like Bitcoin. He remains optimistic that Bitcoin will reach new all-time highs this year, despite recent struggles.
Sid Powell, CEO and co-founder of Maple, says traders are hopeful that Trump’s April 2 announcement will not be as severe as expected. If the tariffs are less aggressive, Bitcoin could see a sudden price rebound driven by investor excitement.
However, Powell warns that if the tariffs strengthen the U.S. dollar or slow global economic growth, crypto could suffer further losses. Investors are also watching inflation closely—if it rises, the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates, which could help boost Bitcoin adoption and drive prices higher over time.
With “Liberation Day” approaching, the crypto market is at a turning point. If Trump’s tariffs cause more financial uncertainty, Bitcoin could face short-term struggles. But if investors look for alternatives to the U.S. dollar, Bitcoin’s reputation as “digital gold” could grow – potentially setting the stage for a major rally.
Trump’s tariffs could increase market uncertainty, leading to short-term volatility in Bitcoin, but may also boost BTC as a hedge against fiat risks.
As of recent trade disputes, countries like India, Brazil, and the U.S. impose some of the highest tariffs on imported goods, depending on the sector.
XRP, the native token of Ripple Labs, is gaining massive attention from long-term holders despite…
The crypto market has recently experienced a vast downturn, with most important projects such as…
The US markets are experiencing one of the massive pullbacks, with major stocks plunging by…
PEPE hopped its way to a $3.8 billion market cap, but its reign as a…
Ripple’s (XRP) recent rally from $2.00 to $2.20 has sparked excitement among cryptocurrency enthusiasts. This…
The crypto circus has a new ringmaster: Influencer Pepe (INPEPE). This Pepe-the-Frog-inspired token is making…
