On February 22, 2026, Trump posted on social media, calling the Supreme Court's ruling "ridiculous and botched" and announcing an immediate increase in the 10% global tariff imposed on many countries to 15%. The new tariffs will take effect at 12:01 a.m. EST on February 24. Following the post, Bitcoin dropped 4.8% within 24 hours, briefly approaching $64,300—its lowest point since February 6—while Ethereum fell even more, over 5%. Many are staring at the charts, wondering the same thing: What should I do now?
What Does Trump’s Tariff Hike Have to Do with My Bitcoin?
This is the most confusing part for newcomers: Why would a U.S. president's tariff policy cause Bitcoin, thousands of miles away, to plummet? The answer lies in two words: macro expectations. When Trump announces a tariff hike, the market anticipates a chain reaction: higher tariffs make imported goods more expensive, which pushes up inflation. As inflation rises, the Fed may hesitate to cut rates or even consider hiking them, reducing liquidity in the market and causing risk assets to fall. Over the past year, Bitcoin has increasingly exhibited characteristics of a "high-risk asset." It is no longer "digital gold" hedging against all risks but rather a "high-beta asset" closely correlated with U.S. tech stocks and liquidity conditions. When the dollar strengthens, it falls; when rate hike expectations rise, it falls; when capital seeks safety, it falls even harder. This time is no exception. Trump posted on Saturday, and by early Monday in Asia, Bitcoin had broken below $65,000. A research analyst at Delta Exchange put it bluntly: Trump's announcement of a 15% global tariff rattled global risk assets, triggering a sharp risk-off shift. So the answer is: Your Bitcoin wasn't directly confiscated by Trump; it was frightened by macro expectations.
$60,000: A Level That Has Everyone Holding Their Breath
Right now, the entire market is fixated on one number: $60,000. The co-founder of Orbit Markets noted that the crypto market remains fragile, with participants pinning hopes on the $60,000 support level. An analyst from BTC Markets was more specific: $65,000 is a key support level; if it's decisively broken, $60,000 becomes the next target. Why is $60,000 so important? Technically, $60,000 is a dense trading zone from previous consolidations, where substantial volume changed hands, forming a natural support barrier. Psychologically, it's a round-number milestone; breaking it could shift market sentiment from a "pullback" to a "trend reversal," triggering more panic selling. From a capital perspective, many leveraged positions have risk controls set here, and a breach could lead to cascading liquidations. If $60,000 also fails, analysts say the next target could be $55,000. However, there's also good news: On the weekly chart, Bitcoin remains within an ascending channel. As long as it stays above $60,000, the medium-term bullish structure isn't broken. In plain English: As long as $60,000 holds, it's not yet the worst-case scenario.
Why This Time Is Different
Some might say: It's not like this is Trump's first time tinkering with tariffs, nor Bitcoin's first dip. Why all the fuss? What's different this time is that the legal foundation has been pulled away. On February 20, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Trump's previous large-scale tariff measures, implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, lacked clear legal authorization. The significance of this ruling isn't just "canceling some tariffs"; it's about negating the president's authority to unilaterally impose broad tariffs using emergency powers during peacetime. What does this mean? It means tariffs have shifted from "definite high-intensity weapons" to "temporary tools under legal risk." Trump is now reimposing tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, but this provision has a time limit—a maximum of 150 days—and requires global uniform application, not targeting specific countries. If he wants to extend them beyond that, he needs congressional approval, which is no easy feat. For the market, the biggest fear isn't necessarily high tariffs, but uncertain rules of the game. Whether the tariffs are legal, whether they'll be extended, or whether they'll be overturned by the courts again—all of this enters a phase of judicial and political wrangling. This kind of institutional uncertainty often triggers asset price volatility more than economic variables themselves.
Less Than 24 Hours Left: What Should You Do?
With less than a day until the new tariffs take effect, if you're anxiously watching the charts and wondering whether to sell, buy the dip, or just stay put, here are three perspectives for your consideration. First, don't chase pumps or dumps. Panic selling and FOMO buying are the fastest ways to lose money. The market has already priced in a lot of panic ahead of the tariff deadline. If you sell now, you're likely selling near the bottom. Second, watch the $60,000 level. This is the most important psychological and technical support right now. If you hold spot positions and don't want to make frequent moves, use this level as an observation point: Hold as long as it isn't decisively broken; consider reducing positions only if it breaks down on high volume. Third, manage your positions and avoid leverage. In times of macro uncertainty like this, leverage is your worst enemy. A slight adverse move could force liquidation. If you're currently holding leveraged positions, now might be the time to consider reducing risk exposure. Analysts generally believe Bitcoin needs to reclaim $70,000 to reverse the current pessimistic narrative. Until then, the market will likely remain in a state of high volatility and directionless oscillation.
Conclusion
At 12:01 a.m. on February 24, the new tariffs take effect. No one can say for sure how the market will react by then. Whether Trump will post again, whether Congress will step in early, or whether the courts will intervene again—all of these are unknowns. But one thing is certain: In an uncertain market, longevity matters more than quick gains. If your positions keep you up at night, reduce them to a level where you can sleep soundly. If you decide to hold, mentally prepare for amplified volatility. If you're on the sidelines, there's no need to rush in—opportunities will always come, but once principal is lost, it's truly gone. With less than 24 hours to go, I hope this article helps clarify your thoughts rather than add to your anxiety.
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