Bitcoin’s wild ride came to a screeching halt after Trump’s bombshell announcement of 10% universal tariffs. The cryptocurrency plummeted from $88,000 to below $83,000 in mere hours, proving even digital gold isn’t immune to political chaos. The broader crypto market tanked, with Coinbase shares dropping 7.5%. Global markets went into panic mode as fears of a trade war erupted. With tariffs set to kick in April 5th, this drama’s just getting started.

While Trump’s latest tariff announcement sent shockwaves through global markets, Bitcoin couldn’t escape the chaos. The world’s leading cryptocurrency tumbled from nearly $88,000 to below $83,000, erasing earlier gains in a matter of hours. So much for digital gold being immune to political drama.
The announcement of a 10% universal tariff rate, coupled with higher reciprocal rates targeting specific countries like China, threw markets into a tailspin. Bitcoin, increasingly correlated with traditional markets these days, got caught in the crossfire. Technical analysis shows resistance at $87,000 remains a critical barrier for any potential recovery. Crypto traders watched in horror as liquidations surged, and the broader cryptocurrency market turned decisively bearish. As seen in extended trading, Coinbase shares plunged 7.5%, reflecting the market’s pessimistic sentiment.
Markets reeled as Trump’s 10% tariff bombshell dragged Bitcoin down with traditional assets, sparking widespread crypto liquidations.
Even Ethereum and XRP took a beating – misery loves company, after all. The rise in market manipulation concerns amid regulatory uncertainty only amplified the downward pressure.
The implementation timeline isn’t helping matters. With universal tariffs taking effect on April 5 and specific reciprocal tariffs following on April 9, markets are bracing for impact. The 25% tariff on foreign-made cars particularly spooked investors, sending them scrambling for safer assets. Bitcoin, despite its “digital safe haven” narrative, proved it’s still too volatile for comfort during economic uncertainty.
Global trade war fears are back with a vengeance. Major trading partners like Mexico and Canada are already contemplating retaliatory measures, and supply chain disruptions seem inevitable. The resulting economic uncertainty has investors running for the hills, and Bitcoin’s recent rally couldn’t withstand the pressure.
Yet some argue this could actually benefit Bitcoin in the long run. As tariffs potentially weaken the dollar and disrupt traditional financial systems, Bitcoin’s appeal as a global monetary asset might grow. Institutional adoption continues despite the volatility, suggesting the big players aren’t easily scared off.
But for now, the immediate impact is clear: Trump’s tariffs just hammered what was shaping up to be an impressive Bitcoin rally. The crypto market’s correlation with traditional financial markets just got an expensive reminder – when economic uncertainty strikes, no asset is truly isolated.