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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Trump tariffs shake markets: Why gold soars as Bitcoin stumbles in 2025

Trump tariffs shake markets: Why gold soars as Bitcoin stumbles in 2025

Today’s market wrap offers a fascinating snapshot of a world grappling with shifting risk sentiments, trade tensions, and the evolving dynamics of traditional and alternative assets. Global risk sentiment has shown signs of improvement, with Asian shares rebounding after what was described as their worst day on record. Japan, in particular, has taken the lead in early trading gains, buoyed by optimism that it might receive preferential treatment in trade negotiations with US President Donald Trump’s administration.

Meanwhile, Trump’s unwavering stance on imposing additional tariffs—despite pleas from trading partners—has kept markets on edge, with the S&P 500 teetering on the brink of a bear market. This backdrop of uncertainty, coupled with fluctuating performances in Hong Kong and China amid threats of a 50 per cent tariff hike, paints a complex picture of global finance.

Add to that China’s central bank stepping in to bolster its sovereign fund for local stock purchases, and we’re witnessing a multifaceted tug-of-war between policy, sentiment, and economic fundamentals.

Let’s look into the specifics. The US markets have been a rollercoaster, with the MSCI US index slipping 0.2 per cent after a volatile session. Within that, the Communication Services sector stood out, climbing 1.0 per cent and offering a glimmer of resilience amid the chaos.

Treasury yields, which had recently pulled back sharply, rebounded with the 10-year yield rising 18.9 basis points to 4.18 per cent and the 2-year yield up 11.1 basis points to 3.76 per cent. This uptick suggests a market recalibrating its expectations, perhaps anticipating inflationary pressures or a shift in Federal Reserve policy signals.

The US Dollar index, meanwhile, edged up 0.2 per cent, stabilising after recent losses, while gold took a hit, dropping 1.8 per cent to hover around US$3,000 per ounce. This decline in gold, often seen as a safe-haven asset, could reflect profit-taking or a reaction to rising yields, which typically make non-yielding assets less attractive.

On the energy front, Brent crude fell 2.1 per cent to below US$65 per barrel, weighed down by tariff-related demand concerns and OPEC+ members increasing output—a double whammy for oil prices.

Across the Pacific, Asian equities have mostly climbed in early trading, with Japan’s optimism setting the tone. This bounce-back follows a brutal sell-off, and it’s encouraging to see markets attempting to find their footing. US equity index futures are also signalling a positive start, with an implied opening gain of 1.6 per cent. This suggests that, despite the tariff threats and economic downturn fears, investors are willing to bet on a recovery—at least for now.

But beneath this surface-level resilience lies a deeper story, particularly when we zoom in on two assets that have captured the world’s attention in recent years: gold and bitcoin. From November 2022 to November 2024, these two moved in a relatively tight correlation, with gold rising 67 per cent and bitcoin soaring nearly 400 per cent.

Analysts had long argued that their shared appeal as hedges against weak global currency policies would keep them aligned. Yet, in 2025, that relationship has begun to unravel, with gold up 16 per cent since late March and bitcoin down more than six per cent. What’s driving this divergence, and what does it mean for investors?

Bitcoin’s journey over the past few years has been nothing short of remarkable. Its meteoric rise—peaking above US$109,000 in January 2025—can be traced to a surge in institutional adoption. Heavyweights like BlackRock, VanEck, and Fidelity have deepened their stakes in the cryptocurrency market, lending it a level of legitimacy that was once unthinkable. Countries like El Salvador have gone further, integrating bitcoin into their financial systems, while the US government has floated plans for a strategic crypto reserve, signalling a potential shift in how nations view digital assets.

New financial products have also fuelled this growth. Take, for instance, CME Group’s Bitcoin Friday futures, which offer contracts as small as 1/50th of a coin, lowering the barrier to entry for retail investors. And just yesterday, Cboe Global Markets announced its new Cboe FTSE Bitcoin Index Futures, set to launch on April 28.

These cash-settled contracts, trading under the XBTF ticker, are designed to give traders more precise control over their bitcoin exposure without needing to hold the asset itself. Paired with Cboe’s recent options tied to bitcoin ETFs, these innovations are broadening the toolkit available to investors, reinforcing bitcoin’s staying power.

But the road hasn’t been smooth. Bitcoin faced significant sell pressure earlier today, dipping to US$74,604 before rebounding to above US$79,000. Even with this recovery, it’s down 3.1 per cent in the past 24 hours and nearly 30 per cent from its January peak. Analysts at IT Tech recently highlighted a spike in the Exchange Inflow Coin Days Destroyed (CDD) metric, which tracks the movement of older coins that have been dormant for extended periods.

A surge in CDD often signals that long-term holders are moving their assets to exchanges, potentially to sell. This could reflect profit-taking after bitcoin’s massive run-up or a reaction to broader market uncertainty, including Trump’s tariff threats and fears of an economic slowdown. Whatever the cause, this selling pressure underscores bitcoin’s volatility—a trait that sets it apart from gold, even as both assets vie for the “safe-haven” mantle.

Gold, by contrast, has followed a steadier path in 2025. Its 16 per cent gain since late March reflects a flight to safety amid tariff tensions and rising yields. Unlike bitcoin, gold benefits from its centuries-old reputation as a reliable store of value, especially when economic storm clouds gather. The recent drop to US$3,000 per ounce might suggest some profit-taking, but the broader trend points to sustained demand.

Rising Treasury yields, which typically pressure gold prices, haven’t derailed its upward trajectory, perhaps because investors see tariffs and geopolitical risks as outweighing the yield factor. This resilience highlights a key difference: while bitcoin thrives on institutional momentum and speculative fervour, gold draws strength from its stability and universality.

So, what’s my take on all this? As someone who’s spent years dissecting market trends, I see this divergence as a natural evolution of two assets with overlapping but distinct identities. Bitcoin’s pullback doesn’t diminish its long-term potential; the institutional backing and innovative products like the Cboe FTSE Bitcoin Index Futures suggest it’s here to stay.

But its volatility—exacerbated by tariff fears and profit-taking—reminds us that it’s still a young, dynamic asset prone to sharp swings. Gold, meanwhile, is playing its classic role as a steady hand in turbulent times, bolstered by its tangible nature and historical gravitas. The fraying correlation between the two isn’t a sign of weakness but rather a maturation of the market, where each asset is finding its own lane.

Looking ahead, the global risk sentiment will hinge on how Trump’s tariff policies unfold. Japan’s early gains signal hope for targeted trade deals, but the broader threat of levies on dozens of countries could keep markets jittery. The S&P 500’s flirtation with bear market territory is a red flag, and if economic downturn fears intensify, we could see more wild swings across asset classes. For now, Asian shares are offering a glimmer of optimism, and US futures suggest a willingness to rebound.

But with Brent crude sliding and China’s central bank stepping in, the stakes remain high. My job is to keep digging—tracking the data, questioning the narratives, and piecing together the story as it unfolds. Today’s market wrap is just one chapter in a saga that’s far from over, and I’ll be here, pen in hand, to chronicle what comes next.

 

Source: https://e27.co/trump-tariffs-shake-markets-why-gold-soars-as-bitcoin-stumbles-in-2025-20250408/

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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Global markets reel as Trump tariffs slam stocks and Bitcoin prices

Global markets reel as Trump tariffs slam stocks and Bitcoin prices

On April 4, 2025, the US stock market experienced its worst single-day performance in years, shedding approximately US$2.5 trillion in value as investors fled to safe-haven assets like US Treasuries and gold. The MSCI US index plummeted by 4.9 per cent, with particularly brutal declines in the energy sector, down 7.5 per cent, and information technology, which fell 7.0 per cent.

Meanwhile, defensive sectors like consumer staples, up 0.7 per cent, and utilities, down just 0.6 per cent, managed to weather the storm far better than their cyclical counterparts. This dramatic shift in market sentiment has been fuelled by fears that Trump’s tariffs—the steepest increase in American trade barriers in over a century—could choke economic growth, drive up inflation, and potentially tip the US economy into a recession.

Trump’s latest tariff policy, announced after the market closed yesterday, imposes a blanket 10 per cent tariff on imports from every country in the world, effective April 5. Citing his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, the president framed the move as a necessary step to protect American industries and workers. However, economists are sounding the alarm about the near-term consequences. Higher tariffs are widely expected to increase the cost of imported goods, pushing up prices for American consumers already grappling with inflationary pressures.

At the same time, retaliatory measures from trading partners could dampen US exports, further slowing economic activity. Some analysts warn that the combination of higher prices and weaker growth could create a stagflationary environment, while others see a full-blown recession as a real possibility if the tariffs remain in place for an extended period. With markets now laser-focused on Friday’s US jobs report and an upcoming speech by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, investors are desperate for clues about how policymakers might respond to this escalating crisis.

The bond market has also reacted decisively, with Treasury yields dropping as expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts grow. The 10-year Treasury yield fell 10.2 basis points to 4.03 per cent, while the 2-year yield slid 17.7 basis points to 3.68 per cent, reflecting heightened recession fears and a flight to safety.

The US dollar index, meanwhile, shed 1.7 per cent, continuing its downward trend as investors reassess the outlook for US growth. Gold, a classic safe-haven asset, held steady at US$3,100 per ounce despite a modest 0.6 per cent dip, buoyed by persistent demand amid the uncertainty.

On the commodities front, Brent crude oil took a significant hit, tumbling 6.4 per cent to US$70 per barrel as traders worried that tariffs would sap global demand growth just as OPEC+ ramps up supply. Asian equities followed Wall Street’s lead, opening sharply lower, and US equity futures suggest stocks will start the day down an additional 0.2 per cent, signalling that the pain may not be over yet.

The cryptocurrency market has not been immune to this turmoil, with Bitcoin experiencing a sharp decline in tandem with other risk assets. After hitting an intraday high of nearly US$88,000 less than 24 hours ago, Bitcoin plunged to a low of US$81,300—a drop of more than seven per cent—before recovering slightly to trade around US$83,000 as of this writing. The sell-off reflects broader market dynamics, as investors pull back from speculative assets in favour of safer bets.

Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, has also struggled. After failing to hold above the US$1,850 level, ETH dipped as low as US$1,751 and is now consolidating below the US$1,820 mark and its 100-hourly simple moving average. Technical indicators suggest resistance near US$1,840, with a bearish trend line forming at US$1,810 on the hourly chart. For Ethereum to mount a meaningful recovery, it would need to break through these levels and push toward US$1,880, but the current market mood makes that a tall order.

In my opinion, Ethereum’s performance is critical to sparking a broader crypto bull market—carries significant weight given its central role in the digital asset ecosystem. Ethereum remains the backbone of decentralised finance (DeFi), powering a vast array of applications from decentralised exchanges (DEXs) to non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Recent data underscores its resilience: in March 2025, Ethereum reclaimed its position as the leading blockchain for DEX trading, overtaking Solana with a trading volume of US$64 billion compared to Solana’s US$52 billion.

Platforms like Uniswap and Curve Finance have driven this surge, reinforcing Ethereum’s dominance even as it grapples with challenges like a historically low ETH burn rate and declining transaction fees following the implementation of EIP-1559. The drop in the burn rate has led to an increase in ETH’s total supply, raising concerns among some investors about inflationary pressures within the network. Yet, Ethereum’s ability to hold its ground amid these headwinds speaks to its enduring strength and adaptability.

Solana’s fading momentum in the DEX space, meanwhile, highlights the shifting tides in the crypto market. The hype around Solana-based meme coins, which fuelled much of its trading volume on platforms like Raydium and Pump.fun, has dissipated, allowing Ethereum to reassert its supremacy.

This resurgence is a testament to Ethereum’s robust infrastructure and developer community, which continue to innovate despite high gas fees and scalability concerns. For a bull market to take hold, Ethereum would indeed need to lead the charge, setting the tone for smaller altcoins and driving renewed investor confidence.

However, the current macroeconomic environment—marked by Trump’s tariffs, a faltering US economy, and a risk-off sentiment—poses a formidable obstacle. If Ethereum can break through its technical resistance levels and capitalise on its DeFi leadership, it could spark the kind of momentum you envision. But for now, the broader market’s woes are keeping a lid on that potential.

Stepping back, the implications of Trump’s tariff measures extend far beyond the immediate market reaction. The US has long prided itself on economic exceptionalism, underpinned by robust growth, a strong dollar, and a dominant position in global trade.

Yet, this latest policy risks unraveling that narrative. Higher tariffs could disrupt supply chains, erode corporate profits, and alienate trading partners at a time when geopolitical tensions are already running high. The flight to haven assets suggests that investors are bracing for a prolonged period of uncertainty, and the upcoming US jobs report will be a critical litmus test.

A weak report could amplify recession fears, prompting the Fed to accelerate rate cuts—a move that might cushion the blow to stocks and crypto but could further weaken the dollar. Powell’s speech will also be pivotal, as markets look for any hint of how the central bank plans to navigate this tariff-induced storm.

In my view, the markets are at a crossroads. The tariff announcement has exposed vulnerabilities in the global economy that were previously masked by optimism about US growth and technological innovation. While defensive assets like gold and Treasuries may offer short-term refuge, the longer-term outlook hinges on how businesses and consumers adapt to higher costs and slower growth.

For risk assets like stocks and cryptocurrencies, the path forward looks treacherous, but opportunities could emerge if the Fed steps in decisively or if the tariffs are scaled back under political pressure. Ethereum’s role as a crypto bellwether adds another layer of intrigue—its ability to rally despite these headwinds could indeed signal a turning point for the digital asset space.

“For now, though, caution reigns supreme, and the world is watching closely as this high-stakes drama unfolds.” — Anndy Lian

 

Source: https://e27.co/global-markets-reel-as-trump-tariffs-slam-stocks-and-bitcoin-prices-20250404/

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”.

j j j