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Bitcoin slides below $100,000 as tariffs rattle markets

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on February 2, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 26, 2026

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SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Cryptocurrency prices slid as the spectre of a global trade war put investors on edge and pushed them out of risky assets. Bitcoin was down more 4% early on Monday morning in

Bitcoin Dips Below $100,000 as Tariff Concerns Shake Markets

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Cryptocurrency prices slid as the spectre of a global trade war put investors on edge and pushed them out of risky assets.

Bitcoin was down more 4% early on Monday morning in Asia, touching a three-week low around $96,606. Smaller cryptocurrency ether was down around 12% and back to levels last seen in early November.

Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Mexican and most Canadian imports, and 10% on goods from China, starting on Tuesday.

Cryptocurrencies trade around the clock, including on weekends, and have lately been sensitive to markets' broader sentiment.

Investors think tariffs can hurt growth and company earnings.

"Crypto is really the only way to express risk over the weekend, and on news like this crypto resorts to a risk proxy," said Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone.

At the same time, there is added downward pressure on crypto after a strong rally in the wake of Trump's election, as some investors have felt disappointed at the lack of immediate moves to boost crypto or loosen regulations since he took office.

(Reporting by Tom Westbrook; Editing by Sandra Maler)

Key Takeaways

  • Bitcoin drops below $100,000 due to tariff concerns.
  • Cryptocurrency prices affected by global trade tensions.
  • U.S. imposes tariffs on Mexican, Canadian, and Chinese imports.
  • Investors move away from risky assets amid market uncertainty.
  • Crypto market shows sensitivity to broader market sentiments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the recent drop in Bitcoin prices?
Bitcoin prices fell over 4% due to concerns about a global trade war, particularly after the U.S. imposed tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China.
How did other cryptocurrencies perform during this time?
Ether, another major cryptocurrency, saw a decline of around 12%, reaching levels not seen since early November.
What is the market sentiment regarding tariffs?
Investors believe that tariffs can negatively impact economic growth and company earnings, leading to a sell-off in risky assets like cryptocurrencies.
How do cryptocurrencies react to market news?
Cryptocurrencies trade continuously and are sensitive to broader market sentiment, often acting as a risk proxy during uncertain times.
What has been the effect of Trump's election on cryptocurrency?
Following Trump's election, there was a strong rally in cryptocurrencies, but some investors have since expressed disappointment over the lack of immediate supportive measures for the crypto market.

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