Crypto markets tumble after Trump signals global tariff hike

Cryptocurrency markets experienced sharp volatility after U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled plans to raise global tariffs to 15 percent, rattling investor sentiment across risk-sensitive assets.

AzerNEWS reports that the world’s largest cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, fell more than 5 percent on Monday, dropping below the $65,000 mark. The decline came despite early gains in Asian equity markets, highlighting a divergence between regional stock exchanges and digital assets amid growing tariff-related uncertainty.

The renewed trade tensions appear to have weighed heavily on crypto investors, who often react swiftly to macroeconomic signals. Market analysts say the unexpected scale of the proposed tariff increase has intensified concerns about global growth and capital flows, prompting a sell-off in higher-risk assets.

Bitcoin has been under sustained pressure in recent months. After surpassing $125,000 in October last year, the cryptocurrency faced significant selling pressure, with the downward trend extending into the opening months of the new year. Since January, Bitcoin has lost approximately 26 percent of its value and is now down more than 47 percent from its October peak.

Jeff Mei, Chief Operating Officer of global blockchain technology firm BTSE, said the unexpected tariff escalation has pushed investors to offload crypto assets amid fears of a broader market downturn.

He added that reports about the United States increasing its military presence around Iran — and concerns that this could trigger a wider regional conflict — have further encouraged investors to move away from riskier holdings.

The latest turbulence underscores the growing sensitivity of digital assets to geopolitical developments and trade policy decisions, reinforcing the view that cryptocurrencies are increasingly intertwined with global macroeconomic dynamics.