Trump's tariff policy and its impact on the cryptocurrency market - Bitcoin stays above $67K

Former President Trump’s trade policy announcement is directly impacting the cryptocurrency market. Recently, Bitcoin has become an asset that reacts sensitively to macroeconomic signals, with political and economic policy changes leading to price fluctuations.

Trump’s Claims of Reducing Trade Deficit and Bitcoin’s Response

Bitcoin recently fluctuated between $66,900 and $67,430 on Thursday. This reflects the market’s response to the tariff policies announced by former President Trump via Truth Social. He claimed, “America’s trade deficit has decreased by 78% thanks to tariffs, and by the end of this year, the trade balance will turn into a surplus for the first time.”

Investors are paying more attention to the accuracy of Trump’s figures rather than the figures themselves, as they could trigger chain reactions in the market. Tariffs are taxes on imported goods, which can lead to rising prices in the real economy and complicate the Federal Reserve’s interest rate trajectory. If the market begins to reflect “raising interest rates higher and for longer,” it could lead to a stronger dollar, putting pressure on high-risk assets like Bitcoin to outflow funds.

The Role of Cryptocurrency as a Macro Indicator

Over the past two weeks, Bitcoin has been trading more like a macroeconomic indicator than driven by its own catalysts. Its price is increasingly determined by changes in liquidity and expectations for interest rates. Currently, the price is $67.43K, with a 24-hour change of -1.29%.

Economists point out that much of the recent reduction in trade deficit may have resulted more from fluctuations in monthly financial flows than actual policy effects. In early January, the US trade deficit shrank to about $29.4 billion, the lowest since 2009, but analysts interpret this as a complex effect of reduced imports, increased exports, and preemptive trading adjustments due to tariff concerns.

If tariff discussions solidify into a strong dollar and tight financial conditions, the Bitcoin rally may struggle to continue. Conversely, if this noise fades into political background, the cryptocurrency market will again focus on capital flows, leverage, and shifts in buyer sentiment.

Rapid Growth of Cryptocurrency Markets in Latin America

Meanwhile, cryptocurrencies are showing different growth trajectories across regions. Latin America’s crypto market is expanding rapidly, with transaction volume expected to reach $730 billion in 2025, a 60% increase.

Brazil and Argentina are leading the growth. Brazil maintains a dominant position in trading volume, while Argentina is rapidly adopting cryptocurrencies driven by increased cross-border payments and stablecoin usage. As users utilize cryptocurrencies for remittances, receiving funds from platforms like PayPal, and bypassing traditional banking networks, stablecoins are becoming a practical means of payment.

While Trump’s trade policies create volatility in developed markets, crypto users in emerging markets are steadily increasing adoption based on practical needs. This indicates that the cryptocurrency market is expanding beyond mere speculation, serving as a tool for international remittances and payments.