Gold jumps 3.3 per cent, Nasdaq soars 12.1 per cent, Bitcoin increases 7 per cent: Inside Trump’s tariff rollback effects

Gold jumps 3.3 per cent, Nasdaq soars 12.1 per cent, Bitcoin increases 7 per cent: Inside Trump’s tariff rollback effects

April 10, 2025, the world woke up to a dramatic shift in global risk sentiment, spurred by President Donald Trump’s unexpected announcement of a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for most countries, excluding China.

This move, paired with a jaw-dropping 125 per cent tariff hike on Chinese imports, has sent shockwaves through markets, igniting a rollercoaster of reactions that deserve a deep and thoughtful exploration. Let’s unpack this market wrap, weaving together the data, the human stakes, and my own take on what it all means.

The announcement came like a thunderclap after days of escalating tension, with both the US and China locked in a high-stakes game of economic brinkmanship. Just yesterday, tariffs on China jumped by another 50 per cent, pushing the total to an unprecedented 125 per cent. It’s a bold, almost theatrical escalation, signalling that Trump is doubling down on his hardline stance against Beijing.

Meanwhile, the 90-day pause on tariffs for other nations—a flat 10 per cent duty remains in place—offers a lifeline for negotiations, a chance to step back from the edge of a full-blown global trade war. The markets, ever sensitive to such twists, responded with a fervour that hadn’t been seen in years.

The S&P 500 surged 9.5 per cent, its largest single-day rally since October 2008, while the Nasdaq soared 12.1 per cent, marking its biggest daily gain in 24 years. The CBOE Volatility Index, or VIX, often dubbed Wall Street’s “fear gauge,” plummeted 35.8 per cent to 33.62, a dramatic exhale after peaking at 52.33. It’s as if the markets collectively sighed in relief, at least for now.

What’s driving this euphoria? For one, the pause on universal tariffs has lifted a dark cloud of uncertainty that had been suffocating investor confidence. The prospect of reciprocal tariffs—matching duties imposed by other countries on US goods—had threatened to choke global trade, spike inflation, and drag economies into recession. Trump’s decision to hit the brakes, even temporarily, suggests a willingness to negotiate rather than bulldoze ahead, a pragmatic pivot that markets have seized upon.

But it’s not all rosy. The US-China trade war is intensifying, and with neither side showing signs of backing down, the stakes are higher than ever. The 125 per cent tariff on China is a gauntlet thrown down, a dare for Beijing to retaliate further or come to the table. It’s a risky play, and one that could backfire if China opts for escalation over compromise.

Turning to the bond market, US Treasury yields paint a complex picture. The 10-year yield climbed 3.9 basis points to 4.332 per cent, and the 2-year yield leaped 18.2 basis points to 3.908 per cent, reflecting a surge in risk-on sentiment. Yet, the 20-year and 30-year yields bucked the trend, easing slightly, a subtle hint that investors remain wary of the long-term fallout from this trade saga.

The robust demand at the 10-year Treasury note auction underscores a flight to quality amid the chaos—investors still see US debt as a safe harbour, even as yields tick higher. The US Dollar Index, however, barely budged, slipping just 0.1 per cent. This muted response stands in contrast to the sharp declines in safe-haven currencies like the Swiss franc and Japanese yen, both down 1.0 per cent, as risk appetite roared back to life.

Commodities, too, joined the rally. Gold, often a barometer of fear, surged 3.3 per cent—its biggest one-day gain since March 2020—settling above US$3,100 per troy ounce. At first glance, this might seem counterintuitive given the risk-on mood, but it reflects a dual narrative: relief at the tariff pause, coupled with lingering unease about the US-China standoff. Brent crude oil, meanwhile, climbed 4.2 per cent to US$65 per barrel, buoyed by optimism that a broader trade war might be averted, at least for now.

Over in Asia, indices like the HSCEI rose 3.2 per cent, fuelled by hopes of more Chinese stimulus to counter the tariff squeeze. It’s a fragile optimism, though—US equity futures are already signalling a lower open, suggesting that yesterday’s euphoria might be short-lived.

The crypto market, ever a wild card, erupted in tandem with traditional assets. Bitcoin surged eight per cent to reclaim US$84,000, its strongest intraday gain since mid-March, sparked by Trump’s tariff rollback. Technical indicators hint at a potential sell-wall at US$85,000 as traders eye profits, but the momentum is undeniable. This rally comes on the heels of BlackRock CEO Larry Fink’s Monday warning that global markets could sink 20 per cent if tariffs took full effect—a prediction that now looks prescient, though his call for a “buying opportunity” has proven spot-on with this rebound.

Binance, commanding nearly half of Bitcoin’s spot trading volume, has solidified its dominance, with its altcoin market share swelling from 38 per cent to 44 per cent in Q1. It’s a testament to the exchange’s ability to capitalise on volatility, though it’s squeezing competitors in the process.

Ethereum, however, tells a darker story. Sliding to US$1,380—a level unseen since March 2023—it’s caught in a relentless downtrend, battered by macroeconomic headwinds and uncertainty over US trade policies. Sentiment in the crypto space is souring, with investors questioning whether ETH’s bullish structure can hold. Yet, there’s a glimmer of hope: CryptoRank data shows Ethereum trading below its realised price, a rare signal that’s historically preceded strong recoveries. It’s too early to call a bottom, but this could be an accumulation zone for the brave.

On the central bank front, the Fed’s March FOMC minutes offered little solace, overshadowed by trade developments. Policymakers flagged “longer-lasting inflationary pressures” from tariffs, with risks to inflation skewed upward and employment downward. It’s a sobering assessment, hinting at a Fed that’s boxed in—rate cuts could stoke inflation further, while holding steady might choke growth. Across the Pacific, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) delivered a 25-basis-point cut, as expected, with a dovish tilt suggesting more easing ahead as Trump’s tariff fallout unfolds. Central banks are on edge, and rightly so.

So, what’s my take? This market wrap is a tale of two narratives: relief and reckoning. The 90-day tariff pause has unleashed a wave of optimism, giving stocks, commodities, and Bitcoin a much-needed boost. It’s a lifeline for a global economy teetering on the brink, and investors are grabbing it with both hands.

But the US-China trade war is a festering wound that won’t heal easily. That 125 per cent tariff is a provocation, and China’s next move—whether retaliation or negotiation—will shape the months ahead. The markets may be celebrating today, but this feels like a sugar high, not a sustainable recovery. Volatility isn’t going anywhere; the VIX may have eased, but at 33.62, it’s still elevated, signaling more turbulence to come.

I’m skeptical of Trump’s strategy. The pause is a shrewd tactical retreat, but the China escalation reeks of bravado over substance. It’s a gamble that could juice US manufacturing in the short term—hence the market’s cheer—but risks long-term damage if global trade fractures. The Fed’s caution and the RBNZ’s dovishness underscore the fragility of this moment.

For investors, it’s a time to tread carefully: the rally is real, but the risks are just as tangible. Gold’s surge tells me fear hasn’t left the building, and Ethereum’s woes remind us that not every asset thrives in chaos. As a journalist, I’ll keep digging, watching for the next twist in this saga—because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that in markets and politics, the only constant is change.

 

 

 

Source: https://e27.co/gold-jumps-3-3-per-cent-nasdaq-soars-12-1-per-cent-bitcoin-increases-7-per-cent-inside-trumps-tariff-rollback-effects-20250410/

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

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Inside the Wild World of Meme Coins: Interview With Expert Anndy Lian

Inside the Wild World of Meme Coins: Interview With Expert Anndy Lian

The rise of meme coins has been nothing short of meteoric. Fueled by online communities, social media hype, and the allure of quick riches, these digital tokens, often inspired by internet jokes and viral trends, have captured the attention of seasoned investors and curious newcomers alike.

But as the market explodes with new entrants, a critical question emerges: Are meme coins a legitimate investment opportunity or a speculative bubble destined to burst?

To gain deeper insights into this complex landscape, we spoke with industry expert Anndy Lian. Anndy, a seasoned observer of the crypto market, shared his perspectives on the economic drivers behind meme coin success, the role of social media, the regulatory challenges, and the potential future of this burgeoning asset class.

At the heart of the meme coin phenomenon lies a potent combination of community-driven momentum and social media amplification.

The Economic Drivers of Meme Coins

“The fundamental economic drivers behind the meteoric rise of meme coins can be attributed to the power of community-driven momentum,” Anndy Lian began. “Meme coins are often created and propelled by online communities, with no institutional backing or venture capital support. This grassroots approach allows community members from diverse backgrounds to come together and collectively drive the coin’s adoption and value.”

Lian emphasized the role of community in shaping meme coin success: “The community’s enthusiasm, creativity, and sense of ownership are the primary drivers of a meme coin’s success. As more people join the community and contribute to the coin’s ecosystem, the network effect takes hold, fueling further growth and adoption. This organic, community-led approach is a key differentiator from traditional asset classes, which often rely on institutional support and fundamental analysis.”

The Role of Social Media and Investor Sentiment

“I’ve noticed that meme coins tend to thrive on their online popularity rather than traditional market analysis,” Anndy Lian observes. “Social media platforms like X, Reddit, and Discord are the perfect storm for meme coin hype, with influencers and community leaders fueling the fire. I recently shared a post about a new meme coin called Moni on X, and it just so happens that it’s got a strong following among South Korean communities. Next thing I know, its value shot up 6 times! It’s crazy how sensitive these coins can be.”

Lian continued, “As you can imagine, meme coin prices are super volatile and can swing wildly based on what the community is saying. If a popular influencer tweets or posts something positive, the price can skyrocket. But on the flip side, a negative comment or a loss of interest from the community can send it plummeting. It’s like a rollercoaster ride, and you never know what’s going to happen next.”

Regulatory Challenges and Investor Protection

Addressing the regulatory landscape, Lian states, “The rise of meme coins has brought to the forefront the need for regulatory frameworks to get up to speed with the rapidly evolving crypto landscape. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves – meme coins aren’t some exotic asset class that requires a whole new set of rules. They’re an integral part of the broader crypto market, and our existing regulatory frameworks should be applied consistently across the board.”

He emphasizes the importance of investor education: “Rather than putting meme coins in a silo, regulators should focus on schooling investors on the unique quirks and risks that come with these community-driven cryptocurrencies. This means drilling home the importance of doing your homework, assessing the risks, and exercising caution when putting your money into meme coins.”

The Future of Meme Coins and Blockchain Technology

Lian expresses optimism about the long-term potential of meme coins: “I’m really excited about the potential long-term implications of meme coins for the crypto ecosystem and financial markets. When you think about it, community-driven meme coins are the ones that could really lead the charge in terms of adoption and innovation.”

He further elaborates, “Take the Shiba Inu token, for example. It’s got a huge global community of fans who are passionate about it. Now, imagine if each of those fans were to start their own Shiba Inu Cafe using a DAO franchise model. Suddenly, the token has real-world value and utility.”

On the role of blockchain technology, Lian states, “Blockchain tech can be a game-changer for meme coin platforms, making them more transparent and secure for investors. By leveraging blockchain’s decentralized and immutable ledger, these platforms can guarantee that all transactions are out in the open, tamper-proof, and accessible to everyone.”

Lian’s insights offer a clear-eyed perspective on the complex world of meme coins. While their meteoric rise has captivated the world, the underlying dynamics are far from simple. The power of community, the influence of social media, and the challenges of regulation converge to create a landscape fraught with both opportunities and risks.

As Lian suggests, the future of meme coins may lie in their ability to evolve beyond mere speculative assets and develop real-world utility. The integration of blockchain technology promises to enhance transparency and security, but the journey ahead is undoubtedly fraught with challenges.

Investors, enthusiasts, and regulators alike must navigate this uncharted territory with caution and discernment. Anndy’s emphasis on education and awareness is crucial for fostering a sustainable and responsible meme coin ecosystem.

About The Expert

Anndy Lian is a global business strategist and blockchain pioneer. With a deep understanding of both technology and business, he advises corporations, governments, and startups on harnessing blockchain’s potential. His roles include Chief Digital Advisor to Mongolia and leadership positions in major crypto exchanges and automotive giants. Anndy is a bestselling author and passionate advocate for blockchain’s transformative power.

 

Source: https://news.shib.io/2024/08/14/inside-the-wild-world-of-meme-coins-interview-with-expert-anndy-lian/

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

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Exclusive: Inside Snowfro’s Collaboration With Oracle Red Bull Racing and Bybit

Exclusive: Inside Snowfro’s Collaboration With Oracle Red Bull Racing and Bybit

First launched into motion in late July, the Velocity Series, a digital art-focused joint project between Oracle Red Bull Racing (ORBR) and crypto exchange Bybit, with curation from AOI, has recently stepped into the third of its four drops.

The web3 project melds speed, technology, and artistry from globally recognized digital artists — which have included, up to this point, Rik OostenbroekPer Kristian Stoveland, and most recently Art Blocks founder and Chromie Squiggle creator Erick Calderon, aka “Snowfro.”

Digital artworks featured in the project draw inspiration from race team analytics and, more specifically, the RB19 F1 car’s telemetry. Additionally, each stage aligns with the 2023 Formula 1 races in the Netherlands, Japan, the United States, and Abu Dhabi.

For an exclusive inside look at the concept, curation, and creation of the Velocity Series, we spoke with ORBR, Bybit, AOI, and Calderon.

Concept

Taking a closer look at the concept, ORBR explained to us that “The merging of art and racing in the Velocity Series represents a dynamic fusion of two seemingly distinct worlds.”

It explained that the project was designed with a dual purpose to offer broader motorsport enthusiasts an immersive introduction to the realm of digital art, as well as provide its own fans with a tangible connection to their favorite team through unique team-inspired designs.

Other considerations included a fan engagement initiative designed to introduce web3 fans to the world of racing, with an underlying hope to transform them into lifelong ORBR supporters.

“This collaboration underscores both Oracle Red Bull Racing and Bybit’s commitment to constantly innovate and push boundaries in both motorsport and the digital space,” shared ORBR.

ORBR, known for its collaborations with traditional artists like Mr.Doodle, chose a more avant-garde path in the web3 domain. They commented, “We identified two clear markets within the world of web3 for us to focus on – native crypto enthusiasts and ORBR fans who are web3 non-rejectors, and this project aimed to serve the crypto enthusiast audience of people already appreciative of existing digital art.”

Emphasizing digital and generative art, ORBR highlights its commitment to “pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation.” In the Velocity Series, ORBR and Bybit aimed to make digital art accessible to diverse collectors, reflecting their vision of inclusivity. They stated, “This decision is rooted in our vision of inclusivity, inviting diverse participants into this pioneering movement.”

The series offers both exclusive and publicly available collectibles, evolving with the season for a richer experience. Additionally, a remix competition via Joyn.XYZ is underway until October 24. ORBR expressed their admiration for Snowfro’s /// collection, noting its minimalist yet impactful theme, and said, “As the name suggests, /// embodies a minimal yet impactful theme. We were truly inspired by how artworks with similarly simple motifs, like Dmitri Cherniak’s The Goose and Grant Yun’s Cow, successfully encouraged the artistic community to generate remixes.”

Curation

Curating the collection is AOI, a foundation for emerging art and technology with a focus on the convergence of the two — which the foundation shared it found a “vibrant expression” of in the Velocity Series project.

“The curation process was a meticulous journey, where we facilitated the creative interaction between the artistic realm and the data-driven domain of Oracle Red Bull Racing,” AOI shared, explaining, “Our role was to provide a fertile ground where artists could explore, interpret, and transcend the conventional boundaries of digital art inspired by racing data.”

Speaking to the artist selection process, AOI shared that “Our criteria were rooted not only in artistic excellence but also in the ability to synergize with big brands.”

The foundation explained that it sought out artists whose past engagements with notable brands “honed their capability to align creative prowess with brand ethos, ensuring a seamless blend of artistic and commercial objectives.”

However, one of the other and perhaps more significant considerations was identifying artists who “embrace boundary-pushing and are unafraid to explore never before seen concepts.”

“Continual innovation with each release is crucial to highlighting the technologies that underpin digital art.”

AOI

Creation

Calderon delved into the inspirations behind stage three of the Velocity Series, highlighting his love for driving and speed as major influences on the /// project. He elaborated, “As I have participated in the world of racing, mostly as a hobbyist, I see extensive use of italicized fonts to demonstrate a more dynamic vibe, and the forward slash is a character that is in an eternal state of italics and therefore felt like a great way to encapsulate motion or speed in a single character.”

The /// project aimed to distill motion into its most basic form, resonating with Calderon’s affinity for minimalism and echoing the simplicity of his renowned Chromie Squiggle collection.

In addition to its visual simplicity, /// introduces a tactile element through embroidery. Calderon commented on this choice, saying, “There are also limitations to what can be done, and while I’m excited to potentially push those boundaries in the future, this initial project was going to be complex enough simply to make it exist and work. So something simple felt critical, and I can apply my color techniques to simple shapes — although again, it was a learning process to figure out how to make gradients within the limitations of embroidery.”

Despite its physical limitations, some fans of the work on X have shared that they see a direct connection to Chromie Squiggle in ///, something Calderon said he loves to hear, as he hopes to “continue to apply a common thread to my work where it is recognizable as being part of the same body.”

He expanded on this thought, stating, “Perhaps specifically to the micro-brand element of the project, what PFPs and GenArt have taught me is an inherent desire for people in the digital realm to express themselves as individuals within a broader family or group.”

Calderon compared the constraints of embroidery to custom ceramic tile mosaics, a technique he used prior to Chromie Squiggle and employed in his recent project, heart + Craft, with Prohibition’s Jordan Lyall. Discussing the choice of embroidery, Calderon clarified that it was crucial for him, saying it was a key component of his involvement in the Velocity Series.

He confessed, “To be perfectly candid, I’m utterly overwhelmed and overcommitted as it is,” and added, “While I’m always proud and excited for new opportunities to get to express myself through art, I have had many of those opportunities already and felt that I could not justify the bandwidth that was going to go into this unless I could do something that tested new ideas.”

Calderon revealed a long-standing interest in generative embroidery, having pitched the idea of a supporting infrastructure to Art Blocks over a year ago. He remarked, “It was not utilized much, and I realize oftentimes it is critical to demonstrate a proof of concept for others to be willing to go deep into rabbit holes to want to consider a concept for their own work. I definitely had to intimately learn the craft of embroidery to pull this together, which required hours of research through trial and error.”

He expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I’ve been really excited to demonstrate generative embroidery at scale for a really long time, and this provided the perfect opportunity to showcase what Art Blocks Engine built that facilitates this.”

Calderon emphasized the significance of the live algorithm in generative embroidery. He explained, “At Art Blocks, we render PNGs basically in an effort to be backward compatible with the majority of aggregation platforms, but the reality is that the digital artwork is animated and has options for the user to customize it based on their mood, whether in a party mood or a lonely mood, you have control of the way the digital is presented on your screen, down to the background color.” He also provided insight into the interactive features of the artwork, allowing users to modify its appearance using various keyboard controls.

Calderon emphasized the importance of aligning the physical and digital realms in the world of NFTs, stating, “What felt critical though is that the main subject would match with the embroidered output, which is also generated by the algorithm.”

He introduced a concept called “digital optional/physical optional” to promote wider adoption of NFT technology. Calderon believes that participation in the content a creator produces shouldn’t be determined solely by one’s presence in the physical or digital space.

Calderon remarked, “They can keep that physical object — imagine a scratch-off with a seed phrase or an IYK-linked product and onboard into web3 at their own pace, on their terms.” He also fondly mentioned collaborating with his wife Mara on the Velocity Series, saying, “I’ve really enjoyed collaborating with my wife Mara, as she’s been so supportive of this crazy journey I’ve been on over the last three years and here there was a project that could lean into her skillset and area of expertise.”

Catalyst

“As the curtain falls on this project, our aspiration is to leave a lasting imprint on the digital art community,” shared Anndy Lian, head of partnerships at Bybit, adding, “We envisage the Velocity Series as a catalyst for more such innovative rendezvous between new communities, fostering a culture of exploration, learning, and appreciation for digital art that transcends traditional boundaries.”

Calderon further outlined that there is a general incompatibility between the ability to prove ownership of a digital object and the ability to prove ownership of a physical object. As a result, he sees the digital object as a permission mechanism to facilitate the creation of the physical — rather than a one-to-one relationship like a COA or Soul Bound Token where the two are locked together.

In conclusion, he shared, “Projects like this one really let me test these ideas out, especially if over time we see people take the embroidery file that comes with their mints and use it to make their own stuff like backpacks and shirts, etc., because they are the owners of the work.”

Teasing at what’s to come, Oracle Red Bull Racing said, “We are announcing the fourth artist very soon. They are, in our opinion, a real innovator in the space, and they have released a number of collections recently that are pushing the boundaries in terms of digital art and interactivity.”

 

 

 

Source: https://nftnow.com/features/exclusive-inside-snowfros-collaboration-with-oracle-red-bull-racing/

 

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

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