New Trump Tariffs Spell Caution for Bitcoin, Ether, Dogecoin Bets

Tariffs and Market Volatility Dampen Ethereum Prospects

Concerns are mounting among market observers as US President Donald Trump's latest round of tariffs and the absence of short-term catalysts cast a shadow over the crypto market. Ethereum's ether (ETH) is believed to be particularly vulnerable, given recent headwinds.

Trump announced plans to impose 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the US, in addition to existing duties. This move heightened inflation expectations and sparked a sell-off in bitcoin, which had previously been poised to surpass $100,000.

At the time of writing, major cryptocurrencies remained largely unchanged. However, Bitcoin, ether, XRP, Solana's SOL, and dogecoin (DOGE) were all trading below 1% in the past 24 hours. Binance's BNB, meanwhile, lost 4.5% after a rally on Sunday.

Tariffs can exacerbate trade wars and create economic uncertainty, leading to market volatility. Such volatility often impacts bitcoin and the broader crypto market, as investors seek refuge in safer assets.

Analysts speculate that ether may face additional headwinds due to declining sentiment, adding to its turbulent year-to-date performance. The bitcoin-ether ratio has recently dipped to its lowest point since 2021, reflecting a preference for BTC over ETH.

"Ethereum has been hit particularly hard, with ETH shedding all of its gains since last November," said Nick Ruck, director at LVRG Research. "Investors now expect only one interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve this year, which casts a shadow over risk assets like crypto."

Traders at Singapore-based QCP Capital anticipate market fluctuations in the coming weeks as Trump's rhetoric continues to shape sentiment. They believe a feedback loop may be emerging, with Trump's actions influencing market dynamics and vice versa.

"BTC volatility favors puts until April, indicating a lack of upside catalysts," the firm said in a statement.