In a major development that reverberated across financial markets, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 90-day suspension of “reciprocal” tariffs on most trading partners, excluding China. The surprise move sent shockwaves through global markets—and the cryptocurrency sector responded with a resounding surge.

Bitcoin Leads the Rally

Shortly after the announcement, Bitcoin jumped sharply, rising from just under $77,000 to over $83,000 within hours. This marked one of the strongest intraday moves for the digital asset in 2025 and reignited bullish sentiment across the sector.

“This was a classic case of macroeconomic news catalyzing a move in a risk-on asset class,” said Maya Chen, macro strategist at BlockTower Capital. “The easing of trade tensions—even temporarily—lowers global economic friction and boosts investor confidence. Crypto is still perceived as a hedge against policy uncertainty, and today’s price action reflects that.”

Crypto Stocks Explode on Wall Street

The excitement wasn’t limited to tokens alone. Crypto-exposed equities skyrocketed:

  • MicroStrategy (MSTR) surged 24%, fueled by its large Bitcoin holdings.

  • Robinhood Markets (HOOD) gained 22%, benefiting from renewed trading activity.

  • Coinbase Global (COIN) rose 19%, as investors bet on increased exchange volume and revenue.

  • Marathon Digital (MARA) and Riot Platforms (RIOT)—two major Bitcoin miners—rallied 17% and 11%, respectively.

“Wall Street is starting to view these companies not just as tech bets, but as proxies for Bitcoin itself,” noted Clara Voss, analyst at Jefferies. “MicroStrategy especially behaves like a leveraged Bitcoin ETF. When BTC moves, MSTR amplifies.”

Why the Tariff Pause Matters to Crypto

The decision to halt the implementation of reciprocal tariffs for 90 days is seen as a tactical pivot from Trump, who’s reportedly seeking to reduce inflationary pressures and ease trade tensions with U.S. allies ahead of the 2025 election. While China remains excluded from this reprieve, the global economic implications are substantial.

Crypto markets, long attuned to macroeconomic developments, responded positively. Tariffs typically increase costs for both consumers and businesses, tightening liquidity and risk appetite. Their suspension is likely to reduce cost pressures and potentially boost spending, investment, and—importantly for crypto—speculation.

“The connection may not be obvious at first glance,” said crypto economist Luis Almeida. “But in times of easing global economic stress, investors often return to high-volatility assets like crypto. This rally is rooted in the belief that the next few months could be more stable—giving traders room to take on more risk.”

Investor Sentiment Rebounds

Crypto sentiment, which had been subdued over the past several weeks due to regulatory uncertainty and market stagnation, received a noticeable lift. On-chain activity ticked up, with exchange inflows and derivatives trading volumes spiking.

Crypto Fear & Greed Index—which had hovered in “Neutral” territory—jumped into “Greed” within hours, reflecting the sudden shift in market mood.

Social media also lit up with renewed optimism. #Bitcoin and #CryptoRally began trending across platforms like Twitter (X) and Telegram, while influencers and analysts started revising short-term price targets upward.

Looking Ahead: Is the Rally Sustainable?

While many are celebrating the market’s strong recovery, others are urging caution. The tariff suspension is temporary and politically motivated, and there is no guarantee of its extension beyond the 90-day window.

Moreover, the broader macro environment remains fragile. Inflation remains a concern, central banks globally are still navigating tightening cycles, and geopolitical risks—especially in Eastern Europe and the Asia-Pacific—continue to loom.

“This is a relief rally,” emphasized Lina Narang, Head of Research at Delphi Digital. “But it’s not a structural breakout unless followed by supportive fundamentals—such as improved regulatory clarity, ETF inflows, or sustainable adoption drivers.”

Conclusion

Trump’s unexpected tariff suspension has, at least for now, injected fresh energy into the crypto markets. While short-term optimism is justified, the durability of this rally will depend on broader macroeconomic and regulatory developments in the weeks to come.