Crypto and Global Markets Rattle Ahead of Tariff Reveal; Bitcoin Steady, Altcoins Slump
Investors kicked off the week with nerves running high as global markets dipped and cryptocurrencies faltered ahead of a major policy reveal from former President Donald Trump, who is expected to announce a new wave of tariffs on April 2.
Bitcoin (BTC) held firm above $81,500 during early Monday trading in Asia, showing relative resilience despite broader market jitters. However, the altcoin space wasn’t as lucky—XRP and Cardano (ADA) were hit hardest, sliding 5% in the past 24 hours. Solana (SOL), Ethereum (ETH), and Dogecoin (DOGE) also lost ground, dropping between 2% and 3%.
The CoinDesk 20 Index, which tracks top digital assets, shed 2.6%, continuing the weekend’s downward momentum.
Despite the decline in prices, Bitcoin ETFs posted a healthy $196 million in inflows last week, signaling sustained institutional interest. Meanwhile, Ether ETFs saw $8 million in net outflows, hinting at growing caution toward the second-largest crypto.
Traditional financial markets weren’t spared either. Asian equities took a sharp hit—Japan’s Nikkei dropped 3.8%, Korea’s KOSPI slid 3%, and the Hang Seng index fell 1.7%—as export-heavy economies worry about potential trade frictions with the U.S.
Investors are fleeing into safe havens: gold soared to record highs, and U.S. Treasury yields dipped as demand for low-risk assets climbed. Futures for U.S. and European stocks also trended downward.
Amid this backdrop, crypto faces another test: token unlocks. According to Tokenomist.ai, $751.2 million in tokens, including SUI and DYDX, will hit the market this week. Unlocks are expected to accelerate in May, when $4.4 billion worth of tokens could enter circulation, potentially adding more pressure.
With no clear catalyst in sight and macro uncertainty building, traders are bracing for a volatile April.
