Crypto braces for Trump’s tariff announcment: what to expect

Markets are preparing for volatility ahead of President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement, with Bitfinex analysts warning that the final details could trigger either a relief rally or a deeper correction across crypto and equity markets.

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to reveal his “Liberation Day” tariff plan at 4 p.m. ET, potentially altering decades worth of trade relations with partners like China, Mexico, and Canada. The specifics of the levies remain unconfirmed, but proposed measures include delayed 25% tariffs and new duties on commodities such as lumber, copper, and microchips.

The tariff uncertainty, as expected, is leaving markets in limbo.

“Markets are already attempting to price in the event, but the exact details remain unknown,” Bitfinex analysts said in a statement sent to crypto.news.

According to Bitfinex, if Trump’s announcement lands within consensus expectations, that is tariffs in the 12–20% range and focused on a few countries, markets may react positively in the short term. In that case, risk assets like equities and Bitcoin (BTC) could stage a brief rally, especially if retaliation is delayed or absent.

“This would validate the ‘buy the rumour, sell the news’ dynamic that’s common during large, well-telegraphed macro events,” the analysts said. “Bitcoin, which has already corrected significantly from its highs, may also benefit from this reduced uncertainty.”

However, if the tariffs exceed expectations and are broad-based or accompanied by aggressive rhetoric, Bitfinex expects renewed de-risking.

“We could see a continuation of the downtrend that’s played out since February,” analysts warned. “Bitcoin remains heavily correlated to macro and equity indices and may follow equities lower.”

Key market signals to monitor

The analysts highlighted several indicators to watch following the announcement: Bitcoin’s current trading range of $78,000–$88,000; spot ETF outflows as a gauge of institutional confidence; and equity performance, particularly in tech and consumer sectors. Altcoins may underperform, leading to a spike in Bitcoin dominance.

“Today’s announcement is one of the most important catalysts of Q2,” Bitfinex noted. “Volatility is expected to remain elevated for the next 24–48 hours.”