Market Reacts Strongly to Trump’s Tariff Announcement

U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of imposing high tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China has stirred significant reactions in the financial landscape. The cryptocurrency sector, in particular, felt the impact over the weekend, with Bitcoin witnessing a sharp decline exceeding 10%, plummeting to approximately $91,500. Other cryptocurrencies were also affected, as Ethereum dropped 36% from its weekend highs, while Solana lost 24% of its value.

Will Institutional Demand Shield Bitcoin?

Experts believe that Bitcoin could exhibit resilience despite the abrupt market downturn. Insights from Bernstein, a research and brokerage firm, indicate a correlation between Bitcoin and risk assets in the short term; however, they assert that Bitcoin continues to function as a safe haven against the U.S. dollar over a longer timeframe.

Can Tariffs Boost Bitcoin Prices?

Jeff Park from Bitwise Alpha Strategies suggests that the U.S. government may utilize tariffs as a short-term mechanism to reduce interest rates indirectly and weaken the dollar over time. This could potentially lead to a significant rise in Bitcoin prices. Nevertheless, analyst Alex Krüger warns that such policies could adversely affect the U.S. economy, putting additional pressure on Bitcoin.

• Bitcoin’s price is closely linked to macroeconomic factors, including tariffs and interest rates.
• Institutional investments showed a net inflow of $5.3 billion into Bitcoin ETFs in January 2025.
• Despite volatility, forecasts suggest Bitcoin could reach $200,000 by late 2025, fueled by institutional buying.

The market’s response to Trump’s tariff strategy highlights the delicate balance between government policy and cryptocurrency stability, with ongoing volatility expected as these dynamics unfold.