Supreme Court Reviews Trump’s Tariff Powers Under IEEPA

On November 5, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court began hearing arguments on President Trump’s tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) in Washington, D.C.

The case could redefine presidential power and impact U.S. economic policy, affecting financial markets and cryptocurrency exchanges due to anticipated increased volatility and risk management actions.

Supreme Court Reviews Presidential Trade Authority Limits

The U.S. Supreme Court has started reviewing President Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to justify significant tariff impositions. This evaluation could redefine the extent of presidential authority in trade policy. Rick Woldernberg, CEO of Learning Resources, pointed out the “economic unviability” of products due to these tariffs.

The economic environment is shifting as these tariffs affected numerous U.S. companies, especially those importing goods from China, Mexico, and Canada. Products have quickly become unprofitable, sparking broad institutional and governmental challenges against the tariffs. Multiple state governments assert that the IEEPA does not grant the President such unilateral authority.

“The products I make in China, about 60% of what I do, become economically unviable overnight. In an instant, snap of a finger, they’re kaput.” — Rick Woldernberg, CEO, Learning Resources

Market responses indicate heightened volatility, with a notable lack of direct crypto market data related to the tariffs. Despite this, increased trade uncertainty has been associated with volatile markets and hedging actions into non-sovereign assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). Notable statements include Former President Trump’s urging for tariff authority, warning of a national economic downturn if unsuccessful.

Trade Uncertainty Drives Crypto Market Volatility

Did you know? The Brennan Center argues that trade imbalances lack the urgency for IEEPA emergencies. Historically, such debates have sparked shifts into non-sovereign assets as hedges against economic uncertainty.

Data from CoinMarketCap shows Bitcoin’s price at $103,466.62, with fluctuations influenced by broader macroeconomic factors. Market cap stands at $2.06 trillion, while 24-hour trading volume is $109.70 billion, indicating increased trading activity amid rising uncertainties. BTC shows a 0.80% drop in the last day, reflecting current market volatility.

Coincu analysts highlight that market participants, anticipating regulatory and economic shifts, might increasingly turn to decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-sovereign assets. In particular, cryptocurrency market dynamics could see heightened activity as investors react to fiscal policy uncertainties and navigate evolving trade landscapes.