Bitcoin plunges below $100,000 amid tariff worries, XRP falls 33%

Key Points

  • Bitcoin plunged 8% in the 48 hours following Trump's tariff policy change, hitting a low of $93,000 before rebounding.
  • XRP and Ethereum experienced even steeper declines, falling 33% and 22% respectively, before partial recovery.
  • The policy involves a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, with a temporary pause on Mexico's tariffs after troop deployment agreement.
  • The market fears a potential trade war, leading investors to reduce risk by selling off cryptocurrencies.
  • Long-term, tariffs might benefit Bitcoin by weakening fiat currencies and promoting crypto adoption.

Summary

The cryptocurrency market experienced significant volatility following President Trump's announcement of a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico. Bitcoin saw an 8% drop within 48 hours, reaching a low of $93,000, while XRP and Ethereum fell by 33% and 22% respectively. The policy, which was set to take effect on Tuesday, was temporarily paused for Mexico after they agreed to deploy troops to the U.S. border, leading to a partial recovery in crypto prices. The fear of a broader trade war and its impact on global markets prompted investors to manage risk by selling off digital assets. Zach Pandl from Grayscale noted that while the immediate reaction was negative, long-term effects might favor Bitcoin due to potential weakening of fiat currencies. Political leaders from affected countries have threatened retaliatory tariffs, which could prolong market instability. However, some speculate that the tariffs might not last long, as they could pressure countries into negotiations, similar to recent events with Colombia.

yahoo
February 4, 2025
Crypto
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