
In a surprising turn of events that sent shockwaves through global markets, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies surged after President Donald Trump announced a pause on reciprocal tariffs for dozens of non-retaliating countries. The move, which came as a reversal from the administration’s earlier hardline stance, signaled a tentative truce in the ongoing trade hostilities that had rattled investor confidence in recent weeks.
Bitcoin, the world’s largest digital currency, spiked as much as 7.7% to $82,967 after starting the day in the red. The rally was echoed by other major altcoins, with XRP and Solana jumping over 11%, while Ether—the second-largest crypto by market cap—also turned higher following Trump’s announcement on his social media platform. This swift reversal in sentiment suggests that the crypto market is becoming increasingly sensitive to macroeconomic shifts, particularly those related to global trade and investor risk appetite.
The broader financial markets responded with similar enthusiasm. The S&P 500 Index surged 9.5%, marking its strongest single-day gain since the 2008 financial crisis. The rally was sparked by renewed optimism that a cooling in trade tensions could stave off a looming U.S. recession and reignite investor confidence in riskier assets.
“Crazy!” exclaimed Zaheer Ebtikar, founder of Split Capital, a crypto-focused investment fund. “The administration was firm on tariffs just days ago. This sudden pivot underscores how fluid the current economic landscape really is. Markets thrive on certainty—and this pause provides a temporary, but meaningful, reprieve.”
Ebtikar pointed out that Bitcoin continues to behave like a classic risk asset. “The market is signaling a risk-on environment, and Bitcoin is reacting accordingly,” he said. While digital assets weren’t directly impacted by the tariffs, their resilience and relatively moderate leverage have kept them afloat amid broader market chaos.
Edward Chin, co-founder of Parataxis Capital, echoed a similar sentiment. “The market was oversold, with funding rates persistently negative. It just needed a catalyst—and Trump’s tariff decision provided exactly that,” Chin said. Bitcoin had previously dipped nearly 30% from its January all-time high, setting the stage for a strong rebound once positive news hit the wires.
Crypto advocates argue that Bitcoin’s relative stability during recent market turmoil supports its case as a portfolio hedge. Joel Kruger, market strategist at LMAX Group, noted that “investors are waking up to Bitcoin’s value proposition—particularly its potential as a safe haven during periods of economic uncertainty.”
Crypto-related stocks surged alongside the tokens themselves. Coinbase Global Inc. jumped 17%, Bitcoin hedge fund proxy Strategy rose 24%, and miner MARA Holdings Inc. climbed 17%. The coordinated rise across both digital assets and equity proxies suggests that confidence in the crypto space is rebuilding fast.
In short, Trump’s sudden policy pivot didn’t just impact traditional markets—it reignited the crypto bull run. And with investors recalibrating their portfolios in light of a more dovish trade policy, Bitcoin and its digital peers may be poised for further upside.