The cryptocurrency market faced a sudden downturn on Thursday, as unexpected tariff announcements shook investor confidence.
Bitcoin, along with other major digital assets, saw a sharp drop after a surprise move by the U.S. administration caught markets off guard.
The tariff plan, unveiled during a speech at the White House Rose Garden, introduced a 10% duty on a wide range of imports, with significantly higher rates targeting nations perceived as having unfair trade practices with the U.S. Initially, markets showed a brief sign of optimism, but that faded quickly as the reality of the aggressive tariffs set in. The unexpected severity led to a wave of sell-offs, affecting both traditional financial markets and cryptocurrencies.
Bitcoin, which had been maintaining strong momentum above $87,000, suddenly fell below $82,000, marking a 5% loss. Ethereum also took a hit, dropping to just under $1,800, while XRP struggled after losing 7%, barely staying above the $2 mark. The abrupt downturn left many market participants questioning the stability of digital assets during such economic shocks.
Amid the turmoil, MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor tried to calm the crypto community by tweeting, “There are no tariffs on Bitcoin.” However, his attempt to inject some positivity was met with skepticism, as many investors questioned why Bitcoin’s value was still dropping despite Saylor’s reassurances.
Even with the recent volatility, MicroStrategy has shown no signs of backing away from its Bitcoin strategy. Just a month prior, the company made headlines by acquiring 22,048 BTC for $2 billion, pushing its total Bitcoin holdings to 528,185 BTC, valued at approximately $35.63 billion. Saylor’s commitment to Bitcoin remains steadfast, reflecting his belief that the current dip is just a temporary setback in a long-term upward trajectory.
Charles Edwards, founder and CEO of Capriole Investments, has offered a fresh perspective on Bitcoin’s stalled price movement near the $100,000 mark, despite growing institutional enthusiasm.
Metaplanet has expanded its Bitcoin treasury with a new acquisition of 1,005 BTC valued at approximately $108.1 million, further cementing its status as one of the largest corporate holders of the digital asset.
Despite common fears that global crises spell disaster for crypto markets, new data from Binance Research suggests the opposite may be true — at least for Bitcoin.
A new report by crypto analytics firm Alphractal reveals that Bitcoin miners are facing some of the lowest profitability levels in over a decade — yet have shown little sign of capitulation.