Crypto climbs as stocks crater: Bitcoin holds steady, altcoins take flight in tariff turmoil

Here’s why Pi Network, Jasmy, LTC, Ethena, and altcoins are down

Cryptocurrencies, including certain altcoins, outperformed global stocks this week as the fear and greed index dropped to its lowest level in years.

Here’s why Pi Network, Jasmy, LTC, Ethena, and altcoins are down

The world’s leading cryptocurrency has officially outperformed the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 on a year-to-date basis, despite staying relatively flat this week. Meanwhile, U.S. equities took a historic tumble. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost a staggering 2,200 points on Friday alone, following a 1,200-point drop the day prior — wiping out $5.4 trillion in value across American stocks in just two days.

Here’s why Pi Network, Jasmy, LTC, Ethena, and altcoins are down

This turmoil followed Trump’s imposition of a sweeping 34% tariff on all Chinese imports, a move that triggered immediate retaliation from Beijing. The fear and greed index — a widely watched sentiment gauge — plunged to 6, its lowest reading in years, as investors scrambled for safety. Oddly enough, that safe haven may have included crypto. Altcoins outpaced both Bitcoin and traditional assets.