Crypto World
Here’s How It Could Happen
Bitcoin has faced a tougher trading stretch, dipping under 75,000 for 18 sessions and testing the market’s nerve as policy and macro signals diverge. The asset briefly retraced to around 64,200 after a broad stock retreat, while a decision by the Trump administration to raise baseline import tariffs to 15% added fresh uncertainty. Yet history cautions against assuming a permanent top when liquidity is in flux: Bitcoin has repeatedly outperformed other risk assets during stressed macro cycles, aided by persistent mining activity and a growing cohort of professional traders using volatility to adjust exposure. In this environment, Bitcoin remains a focal point for liquidity dynamics and institutional positioning, with fundamentals showing resilience even as headlines churn.
Key takeaways
- Historical data suggests Bitcoin often outperforms during trade wars and liquidity injections, even when macro fears are elevated.
- Mining activity has proven resilient, and a shift to net long positions on CME futures signals professional traders are adding exposure on dips.
- Policy shocks, such as tariffs implemented in early April 2025, coincide with sharp price moves—Bitcoin hit a five-month low near 74,600 before staging a subsequent rally.
- The U.S. Federal Reserve’s liquidity facilities have historically been a source of indirect support, with peak repo-like operations sometimes foreshadowing price rebounds in BTC.
- Hashrate recovery and profitable mining hardware at modest electricity costs have reduced tail risks from miner capitulations, helping sustain network fundamentals.
- Market positioning by large speculators flipped from net short to net long on BTC futures, a signal that has sometimes preceded major price bottoms.
Tickers mentioned: $BTC, $NVDA, $ORCL, $MARA, $CRWV
Sentiment: Bullish
Price impact: Positive. Dip-buying by institutions and improving mining fundamentals could support a move back toward key benchmarks.
Trading idea (Not Financial Advice): Hold. Given mixed macro cues, a cautious stance is warranted until price action and policy signals provide clearer direction.
Market context: Liquidity conditions and regulatory developments are shaping near-term outcomes, with network health and futures positioning acting as important indicators for BTC’s trajectory.
Why it matters
Bitcoin’s resilience amid policy jitters matters because it tests the narrative of crypto as a hedge in times of macro stress. When governments signal tighter control or aggressive tariff actions, liquidity dynamics often determine whether risk assets liquidate or rotate into alternatives with unique inflation-hedging characteristics. The fact that miners’ revenue streams have remained resilient, and that professional traders have shifted toward net long exposure on futures, adds a layer of credibility to the idea that BTC can stabilize and recover rather than cascade lower during periods of uncertainty.
Another dimension is the health of the mining sector. With 2024 and 2025 ASICs continuing to operate profitably at practical energy costs around $0.07 per kilowatt-hour, miners have less incentive to withdraw from the network even as AI-fueled tech equities face tighter funding. This reduces systemic risk linked to hash rate collapse and supports on-chain activity. The interplay between policy developments and the macro funding environment remains a central driver for BTC, and current data points suggest a favorable tilt for a potential retest of higher levels in the near term. For readers tracking the broader ecosystem, recent company dynamics—such as MARA’s stake in Exaion—underscore how mining-related investments are increasingly intertwining with data-center and AI-capital narratives.
In parallel, a shift in trader positioning has emerged as a recurring theme. A CFTC report published last week highlighted that large speculators on CME Bitcoin futures moved from a net short to a net long posture, a pattern that has, in past cycles, preceded sizeable price bottoms. While no single indicator confirms a bottom, the combination of improving miner fundamentals, a potential stabilization of liquidity metrics, and a cautious, yet constructive, positioning backdrop can augur a more constructive tone for the BTC market in the weeks ahead. The price action already reflected a bounce from the mid-60ks toward the 75k area in the near term, and market participants will be watching how this dynamic interacts with ongoing macro developments and policy updates.
What to watch next
- The latest CME Bitcoin futures positioning data from the CFTC showing net long shifts among large speculators.
- Hashrate and miner profitability trends, especially at around $0.07/kWh energy costs.
- Policy developments—new tariffs or liquidity actions—that could impact risk sentiment.
- Upcoming earnings or funding moves in the AI hardware and data-center space, including Nvidia results.
- Price action around the $75,000 level and whether BTC tests this midpoint in the coming weeks.
Sources & verification
- Executive orders on reciprocal tariffs issued in early April 2025 and subsequent tariff actions affecting major trading partners.
- CFTC report detailing the shift from net short to net long on CME Bitcoin futures.
- HashRateIndex data on miner gross profits at a power cost of $0.07/kWh.
- Bitcoin’s price responses during the 2020 COVID-19 crash and subsequent multi-month rally to the $42,000 level.
- Industry reference to MARA’s stake in Exaion and the broader mining sector’s status.
Bitcoin resilience amid policy jitters and miners’ rebound
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) has weathered a fresh bout of volatility as traders reassess risk in a climate of heightened policy scrutiny. After drifting below the psychological 75,000 mark for 18 sessions, the digital asset touched a low near 64,200 as global equities pulled back. The catalyst was a wave of tariff actions announced in early April 2025, including reciprocal duties across many trading partners and a 34% levy targeting China by April 9. The immediate backdrop was, in many ways, a reminder of how macro policy can ripple through risk assets even asBitcoin continues to attract a dedicated pool of long-term holders and enthusiasts. Yet the price reaction also underscored a familiar pattern: when liquidity conditions tighten, BTC often behaves unlike traditional equities, with the potential for outsized rebounds when sentiment stabilizes.
From a structural perspective, Bitcoin’s network has shown considerable resilience. The mining sector—with ASICs deployed in 2024 and 2025—has remained profitable at modest energy costs, reducing the risk of mass capitulations that could threaten hash rate. The observable improvement in the hashrate relative to earlier delays helped counter fears of a miner “death spiral” and supported on-chain activity. This improvement matters more than flat price moves because a robust hash rate underpins transaction throughput and security, which in turn sustains confidence among holders and developers alike. For investors following the mining landscape, the narrative has shifted from existential risk to a more nuanced assessment of profitability and supply dynamics, with miners continuing to contribute to BTC’s forward resilience.
The macro narrative around policy and liquidity remains a central force. The U.S. Federal Reserve’s liquidity facilities—lending against Treasuries to smooth funding markets—have historically influenced risk appetite, even if not always framed as direct injections. In past episodes, peaks in such operations have often coincided with safer moments for risk assets, including BTC, as market participants anticipate a policy environment that will eventually stabilize. In the current cycle, traders are poring over data on repo-like operations and balance-sheet conditions to gauge whether a more accommodative liquidity backdrop could re-emerge, providing a tailwind for BTC in the weeks ahead. The discussion around liquidity is complemented by linked policy moves, such as the tariff actions described above, which can amplify risk-off or risk-on impulses depending on how the broader economy absorbs the shocks and whether policymakers offer mitigants or liquidity backstops.
Adding another layer to the story, institutional players have started to reallocate exposure during pullbacks. A recent analysis noted that professional traders used the dip to add Bitcoin exposure, with long positions on CME futures expanding at a pace that historically signals a renewed appetite for BTC among sophisticated funds. That shift aligns with the broader narrative of a maturing market where liquidity, hedging demand, and macro risk sentiment converge to form potential baselines for a recovery. In parallel, the data points cited in industry commentary—such as MARA’s stake in Exaion—highlight how capital moves within the mining and AI infrastructure ecosystem can influence both sentiment and the capital flows into related hardware and data-center ventures. For traders and observers, this confluence of mining fundamentals, futures positioning, and policy dynamics provides a clearer, albeit still uncertain, path toward higher levels if the catalysts align.
Looking ahead, the near-term trajectory will likely hinge on how quickly the macro environment absorbs tariff signals, how the liquidity backdrop evolves, and whether Bitcoin can sustain a momentum lead beyond the 75,000 threshold. The market has shown a capacity to rally after drawdowns tied to policy shocks, as evidenced by the 38% rebound observed in the month following the initial low. If this dynamic persists, BTC could carve a path back toward the mid- to upper-70s in the coming weeks, aided by a combination of supportive hashrate trends, a possible shift in futures positioning, and any signs that macro liquidity will re-enter the system with a clear framework. In the meantime, investors will be watching for more granular signals—from CME futures data to mining profitability metrics—that can help distinguish a temporary bounce from the beginning of a sustained upcycle.
Crypto World
Chainlink’s 86% Correction May Be Over: Here’s Why $100 Could Be Next for LINK
TLDR:
- LINK has corrected over 86% from its 2021 high near $53, now compressing inside a key demand block at $5.60–$7.50.
- CryptoPatel identifies smart money absorption at macro support, with sell-side liquidity sweeps fully absorbed on the 3W chart.
- Three upside price targets are mapped at $26.30, $52.22, and $100, representing up to 1,675% return from the demand zone.
- The bullish setup is invalidated if LINK prints a three-weekly candle close below the critical support level of $4.76.
Chainlink’s native token, LINK, is currently priced around $8.30 after an extended period of price compression. Analyst CryptoPatel has released a high-timeframe technical forecast pointing toward a potential 10x move.
The setup is built on multi-year chart structure and accumulated demand at macro support. With volatility contracting sharply on the three-weekly chart, market participants are watching closely for a breakout confirmation.
LINK Accumulates Inside a Multi-Year Demand Block
LINK has been trading inside a descending channel on the three-weekly chart since its 2021 cycle high near $53. The token corrected more than 86% from that peak over the following years.
Price has since compressed into a demand block between $5.60 and $7.50. This zone is where CryptoPatel identifies strong smart money absorption taking place.
Multiple higher lows have formed within this demand block on the higher timeframe. Each successive low reflects buyers stepping in before price reaches prior lows.
CryptoPatel noted that sell-side liquidity sweeps into this support region have been fully absorbed. That behavior points toward sustained accumulation rather than distribution at current levels.
The analyst’s tweet reads: “Fractal Structure Mirroring Previous Cycle Compression Before Breakout.” This observation draws a direct parallel to prior accumulation phases in LINK’s price history.
Each of those phases was followed by a sharp directional expansion. The current setup carries a structurally similar pattern on the same timeframe.
Volatility on the three-weekly chart has contracted to an extreme degree, according to CryptoPatel. That level of compression typically precedes a larger expansion move in either direction.
Price is currently hovering near $8, described as range equilibrium within the analyst’s framework. The descending channel resistance from the 2021 all-time high remains the defining technical ceiling.
Key Price Levels That Could Trigger a Massive Upside Move
CryptoPatel has mapped out three upside targets: $26.30, $52.22, and $100. A move to the third target from current prices would represent a gain of approximately 1,110%.
The projected total return from the high-timeframe demand zone sits between 1,232% and 1,675%. These targets align with liquidity pools resting above current price on the higher timeframe chart.
The critical confirmation signal for this setup is a three-weekly candle close above the descending trendline resistance. A simultaneous break of the range high on that timeframe would further strengthen the bullish case.
Until that close materializes, the channel resistance remains structurally intact. Traders following this setup are waiting for that specific trigger before adding exposure.
CryptoPatel’s bullish bias holds as long as LINK stays above $4.76 on the three-weekly timeframe. That level marks the lower boundary of the high-timeframe demand zone.
A confirmed candle close below $4.76 would signal structural failure and open the door to further downside. That threshold functions as the hard invalidation point for the entire setup.
The analyst describes this as a high-timeframe, patience-based trade with asymmetric risk-to-reward. It is best suited for spot accumulation and long-term swing positioning, per the forecast.
No macroeconomic or fundamental variables are incorporated into the analysis. Traders are encouraged to conduct independent research before making any financial decisions.
Crypto World
Backpack Offers 20% Equity to Token Stakers Ahead of IPO
Crypto trading platform Backpack Exchange on Monday announced that stakers of its forthcoming Backpack token will be able to earn equity in the exchange, as the company moves toward a potential initial public offering.
“Users that stake the Backpack token for at least a year will have the opportunity to exchange those tokens for equity at a fixed ratio—20% of the company today,” said Backpack CEO and founder Armani Ferrante in a post to X on Monday.
20% of Backpack equity given to users who stake for a year.
Don’t just use the next big thing.
Own it. 🎒 pic.twitter.com/whdGUQ0XyH
— Backpack 🎒 (@Backpack) February 23, 2026
Speaking about the equity offering, Ferrante said many past token launches were built on “false promises” of utility — a pitfall he wanted to avoid. Instead, he said he wanted to offer users an alternative token structure showing long-term commitment.
“I came into crypto because I believe it’s going to change the world … But somewhere along the way, amidst the booms, the busts, the moonshots, the decentralization theater, and the straight up scams, we lost our way. I don’t know about you, but I’m just tired of false promises.”
Backpack’s offer would anchor the token’s value to company equity.
Backpack prioritizes users with tokenomics setup
Backpack first announced it would launch the Backpack token in a post on X earlier this month.
The tokens are intended to be unlocked in stages as the company moves toward a potential US IPO.
Backpack said 25% of the 1 million-token supply will be unlocked at the Token Generation Event, while the next 37.5% of the tokens will be released before the IPO, provided that Backpack reaches certain milestones, such as regulatory approvals and the launch of new products.
The first 62.5% of Backpack tokens will be distributed entirely to users, while the remaining tokens will be unlocked post-IPO for Backpack’s team members and investors.

Backpack said the tokenomics setup aims to invert a model that usually sees insiders receiving large allocations early, with time-based vesting creating predictable sell pressure on retail users who are often left holding the bag.
Backpack was founded in 2022 by Ferrante, who previously worked at the FTX-linked Alameda Research before the two entities collapsed in November of that year.
Related: Kraken acquires tokenization platform Magna ahead of potential IPO
While the Backpack TGE date has not been set, the token-equity announcement comes as Backpack partnered with Securities and Exchange Commission-registered transfer agent Superstate to bring tokenized stocks onchain in October.
Backpack acknowledges its plan isn’t perfect
Ferrante slammed the current state of crypto, stating: “We live in the most centralized era crypto has ever experienced,” and adding: “The more centralized something is, the less meaningful a token is.”
At the same time, Ferrante acknowledged that the token-equity offering would start out relatively centralized but added that plans are in place to progressively decentralize the token as the product evolves.
“I expect the token to represent more than anything a single company has to offer, but in the short run, it’s the best we can do to show our long term commitment to our users.”
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Crypto World
Tom Lee Bets Big on Ethereum With 51,162 ETH Purchase as Vitalik Buterin Sells $21 Million Worth
TLDR:
- Bitmine acquired 51,162 ETH in a single week, pushing total holdings to 4.42M tokens worth $8.6 billion.
- Vitalik Buterin sold over 9,715 ETH in February 2026, totaling more than $21M as ETH fell below $2,000.
- Tom Lee cited tokenization, AI adoption, and the creator economy as key reasons to buy ETH during the dip.
- Bitmine’s staking operations now generate $171M annually, with projections reaching $249M at full MAVAN scale.
Tom Lee’s Bitmine Immersion Technologies made a bold move last week, acquiring 51,162 ETH amid a broader market pullback.
While Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin was offloading millions in ETH, Lee’s company was buying aggressively.
The contrasting strategies have caught the attention of crypto market watchers globally as ETH continues trading below $2,000.
Tom Lee Doubles Down on ETH While Prices Slide
Tom Lee, serving as Bitmine’s Chairman, publicly addressed the current crypto downturn in a recent company statement.
“In the midst of this ‘mini crypto winter,’ our focus continues to be on methodically executing our treasury strategy and steadily acquiring ETH,” said Lee. Rather than pulling back, Bitmine moved forward with one of its most aggressive single-week purchases to date.
Lee made his conviction on Ethereum clear, pointing to three fundamental drivers he believes are gaining traction.
“Wall Street and their efforts at tokenization, AI and agentic-AI using smart blockchains, and the emerging creator economy’s desire to use blockchains for verification,” he outlined. These factors, in his view, make the current dip a buying window rather than a warning sign.
“In the past week, we acquired 51,162 ETH,” Lee confirmed. “Bitmine has been steadily buying Ethereum, as we view this pullback as attractive, given the strengthening fundamentals.”
He added that “the price of ETH is not reflective of the high utility of ETH and its role as the future of finance,” reinforcing the company’s long-term position.
Vitalik Buterin’s Selling Spree Puts Pressure on ETH Price
As Bitmine was accumulating, a very different story was unfolding on the other side of the market. Crypto analyst Crypto Patel flagged the activity on social media, writing, “After a 2-week break, Vitalik Buterin just withdrew 3,500 ETH worth $6.95M from Aave to sell.” Buterin then proceeded to sell 571 ETH shortly after the withdrawal.
This followed an earlier sale on February 5, when Buterin offloaded 9,144 ETH at approximately $2,170 per token, collecting $19.84 million.
Patel noted in his post, “Total Sold in Feb: 9,715+ ETH (~$21M+),” as ETH slipped below $2,000 during the selling period. The timing amplified negative sentiment around ETH at an already sensitive moment in the market.
Patel’s post openly questioned the motive behind the moves, asking, “Is the Ethereum co-founder losing confidence… or does he know something we don’t?”
The post drew sharp reactions across the crypto community, with many debating whether the sales reflected routine portfolio management or something more telling. Either way, the activity added pressure to an asset already struggling to hold key price levels.
Bitmine’s Staking Strategy Keeps Revenue Flowing Despite the Dip
Even as prices soften, Bitmine’s staking operations continue generating steady income. “Annualized staking revenues are now $171 million,” Lee stated, adding that Bitmine’s own staking operations generated a seven-day yield of 2.89%, above the broader Composite Ethereum Staking Rate of 2.81%. The company currently has 3,040,483 ETH staked, valued at approximately $6 billion.
Lee further noted that “at scale, when Bitmine’s ETH is fully staked by MAVAN and its staking partners, the ETH staking rewards is $249 million annually.”
MAVAN, the Made in America Validator Network, remains on track for an early 2026 launch. Bitmine is currently working with three external staking providers as it prepares for full deployment of the platform.
Bitmine’s total holdings, including $691 million in cash, a $200 million stake in Beast Industries, and a $17 million position in Eightco Holdings, bring the overall portfolio to $9.6 billion.
With Lee buying aggressively while Buterin sells, the two figures now represent opposite ends of the current Ethereum narrative.
Crypto World
ICP to add 20% revenue burn in new tokenomics shift
ICP adds 20% revenue-funded burns and usage-based node rewards to align supply with demand.
Summary
- 80% of Internet Computer cloud engine revenue will go to node providers, while 20% will buy and burn ICP, creating a usage-linked supply reduction.
- Node providers will shift from fixed subsidies to compensation tied directly to compute demand, aligning incentives with real network activity.
- The updated model mirrors other compute-focused chains that use fee-funded burns and demand-driven payouts to reward infrastructure and curb token inflation.
The DFINITY Foundation announced plans to update Internet Computer’s tokenomics to include a burn mechanism funded by network revenue, according to a statement from the organization.
Under the new model, 80% of revenue generated by Internet Computer cloud engines will be distributed to node providers operating the infrastructure, while the remaining 20% will be used to purchase and burn ICP tokens, the foundation stated. Node provider associations have begun preparations to market cloud engines, according to the announcement.
The current system provides node providers with fixed payments for maintaining network operations regardless of workload demand. The updated structure will tie node compensation directly to usage-driven revenue from compute services, linking incentives to actual network activity, the foundation said.
The change represents a shift from a fixed-subsidy model toward a usage-based economic framework for the Internet Computer network, according to DFINITY.
The revenue allocation directs a portion of funds to token burns, creating a demand-linked supply reduction mechanism as network adoption increases. The majority of revenue will flow to infrastructure operators to incentivize capacity provision and service reliability, the foundation stated.
Similar usage-based token economic models have been implemented in other compute-oriented blockchain networks, industry observers noted.
The transition aligns network incentives with usage while introducing a structural supply reduction mechanism tied to adoption levels, according to the foundation’s announcement.
Crypto World
Why DAO Governance Always Turns Political
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“In a decentralized governance system, it’s unavoidable to develop politics.”
Rune Christensen explains why DAO governance becomes a struggle for resources, how the “iron law of bureaucracy” emerges, and why Sky redesigned its architecture to survive it.
Crypto World
SEC Approves WisdomTree Digital Money Market Fund to Trade at Fixed $1 Intraday Price
TLDR:
- The SEC issued an exemptive order on Feb. 23, 2026, allowing WisdomTree’s digital MMF to trade at $1 intraday.
- The order grants relief from Section 22(d) and Rule 22c-1, bypassing the standard next-calculated NAV pricing requirement.
- Registered broker-dealers with dealer agreements can now sell Covered Fund shares at a stable $1.00 on a principal basis.
- Rule 17d-1 Relief also permits WisdomTree’s affiliated dealer to transact with the fund under terms consistent with the Act.
WisdomTree Government Money Market Digital Fund has received a landmark exemptive order from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
The order allows investors to trade the fund’s shares at a fixed $1.00 price with a dealer on an intraday basis.
This approval marks a notable shift in how digital money market fund shares can be bought and sold, regardless of the fund’s end-of-day net asset value (NAV).
SEC Grants Pricing Relief for Intraday Transactions
The Division of Investment Management issued the order on February 23, 2026. It covers WisdomTree Digital Trust, WisdomTree Securities Inc., WisdomTree Digital Management Inc., and WisdomTree Transfers Inc.
Together, these entities filed the original application on May 8, 2025. An amendment followed on January 16, 2026.
The exemptive order grants relief from Section 22(d) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rule 22c-1 under the Act. Under normal rules, fund shares must be sold at the next-calculated NAV. This order creates an exception specifically for digital money market fund shares.
Under the new structure, registered broker-dealers who enter a dealer agreement with a Covered Fund can trade shares at $1.00 on a principal basis.
This means individual and institutional investors alike can transact at a stable price throughout the trading day. The fixed price applies regardless of what the NAV calculates to at day’s end.
The SEC posted the development publicly, noting the order permits investors to trade shares at $1 with a dealer on an intraday basis.
Rule 17d-1 Relief Permits Affiliated Dealer Participation
Beyond the pricing relief, the SEC also granted Rule 17d-1 Relief under Section 17(d) of the Act. This portion of the order addresses transactions between the fund and its affiliated dealer, WisdomTree Securities Inc. Without this relief, such arrangements would be prohibited under the Act.
The Commission found that the affiliated dealer’s participation in these transactions is consistent with the Act’s provisions, policies, and purposes.
It also determined the arrangement is no less advantageous than participation by other parties. Both orders took effect immediately upon issuance.
A public notice of the application was issued on January 26, 2026. Interested parties had an opportunity to request a hearing, but no such request was filed. The Commission then moved forward without ordering a hearing.
The relief also extends beyond the Applicant Fund. It applies to any series of the Applicant Trust or other registered open-end management investment companies meeting specific criteria.
This broader scope means other digital money market funds could potentially benefit from the same pricing structure in the future.
Crypto World
MSTR acquired 592 BTC last week
Strategy (MSTR), the world’s largest publicly traded company holding bitcoin, made a small BTC acquisition last week, adding 592 coins for $39.8 million.
That’s an average purchase price of $67,286 per bitcoin, with the buys completely funded via sales of common stock, according to an SEC filing.
The company now holds 717,722 bitcoin acquired for $54.56 billion, or an average price of $76,020 per coin. With bitcoin currently trading just above $66,000, the position represents an unrealized loss of roughly $10,000 per coin, or about $7 billion in total.
This morning’s news is a milestone of sorts. According to a cheeky X post by Executive Chairman Michael Saylor, it was Strategy’s 100th announcement of a bitcoin purchase since the company (then named MicroStrategy) began acquiring BTC in August 2020.
MSTR shares are down 2.5% in pre-market action and more than 50% year-over-year.
Crypto World
Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas remains bullish on bitcoin after plunge
Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas, one of that country’s richest individuals, hasn’t been shaken by the recent crash in the price of bitcoin.
“Take advantage and buy now while it’s down,” said Salinas in a Sunday X post. “Investing in Bitcoin is protecting your money against inflation and keeping it out of the hands of those who want to steal it from you.”
The comment from the longtime bull came following bitcoin’s plunge in recent months to its current level of $66,000. Salinas shared the message alongside an older clip of him defending bitcoin’s ability to support freedom, doubling down on a stance he’s held for years.
Salinas, whose estimated net worth is around $4.9 billion, has been one of Latin America’s most vocal bitcoin advocates. In past interviews, he’s described fiat currency as a “fraud” and called bitcoin “the only way out” for preserving purchasing power.
In an interview last year, he said 70% of his liquid assets were linked to bitcoin. The remaining 30% was in gold and shares of gold mining firms.
Crypto World
What Supreme Court tariff ruling means for global trade, U.S. economy
The Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Friday, but the trade tax turmoil is far from over. Fallout over the ruling is already threatening to further strain global trade relations, and the U.S. economy is likely to suffer, economists told CNBC.
In 6-3 decision, the high court ruled that President Trump did not have the legal authority to implement his sweeping tariffs imposed last April under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA.
Trump later leveled new tariffs up to 15% effective immediately on an array of U.S. trading partners, further escalating global trade tensions. European Union leaders expressed dismay over the new tariffs, arguing that the U.S. policy shift would upend trade deals already reached with the EU as well as the U.K. last year. On Monday, the EU again postponed a key vote on its deal with the U.S.
The pushback against the latest U.S. tariff threat underscores deep frustration over the president’s erratic trade policies, and could push foreign governments to scale back U.S. trade and lead businesses to curb expansion, investment and hiring.
The result might hobble the U.S. economy. “It shifts how trade is done with the largest economy in the world, and that has economic consequences,” Mike Reid, head of U.S. economics at Royal Bank of Canada told CNBC, referring to the Supreme Court ruling and new tariff push.
Downside
The trade war drama is likely to contribute to a climate of caution among businesses and foreign governments alike, said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, leading to “nothing but downside,” for the U.S. economy.
“Businesses don’t know” what’s going to happen next, Zandi told CNBC. “They’re going to invest less, they’re going to hire less, they’re going to be less aggressive in their expansions,” limiting U.S. growth.
Foreign governments could react similarly amid rising uncertainty, leading them to “continue to pull away from the U.S,” according to the economist.
“They’ve got to be pulling their hair out over all of this,” Zandi said. “Perceptions of the U.S. are increasingly that we’re a poorly managed economy, and objectively speaking, they’re right. It’s a bit of a mess that feels like it’s getting messier.”
That perception could lead to efforts to divert trade away from the U.S. to a variety of other trading partners, including China.
China’s exports grew 6.6% in U.S. dollar terms last December compared to the same month a year earlier, topping analyst expectations and sending the nation’s annual trade surplus to a record, according to Chinese customs data. Imports increased at their fastest pace in three months, the same data showed.
Trump trade taxes
The Trump administration will continue implementing its trade policy, and now plans to use a variety of sections in the Tariff Act of 1974, according to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
President Trump is pointing to section 122 of the Tariff Act to justify his new tariffs enacted this weekend, although that section limits their effectiveness to 150 days, until mid July, after which they would have to be approved by Congress.
But the administration is likely to use sections 232 and 301 of the Tariff Act to supplement its new section 122 tariffs, meaning the U.S. could continue to impose tariffs against its foreign trading partners over the next few years, at least.
Others say neither investors nor economists shouldn’t sound the alarm just yet.
The implementation of the new trade taxes “implies little change in the effective tariff rate or our inflation forecasts in the near term,” Citigroup economist Veronica Clark said in a note to clients.
“Eventual Section 301/232 tariffs could have an impact on certain goods prices in the future, but details are still highly uncertain,” Clark wrote. “While a 10% Section 122 tariff would likely have lowered the effective tariff rate by 3-4 [percentage points], a 15% tariff should keep the effective tariff rate essentially unchanged (if anything, lower by ~1pp or so).
While the total impact of the new tariffs remains uncertain, a few things are clear, Zandi said.
“The U.S. is pulling away from the world, and the rest of the world is now pulling away from the U.S.,” the economist said. “Deglobalization is a weight on the economy, and ultimately, the end state is a weakened economy.”
— With additional reporting provided by CNBC’s Alex Harring
Crypto World
Pantera leads $11.5M round in Based, a Hyperliquid-powered crypto app
Based, a Web3 consumer app for trading and spending crypto, has raised $11.5 million in a Series A round led by Pantera, with participation from Coinbase Ventures, Wintermute Ventures and Karatage.
The company said the fresh capital will be used to expand into new markets and build out its onchain financial infrastructure.
Launched eight months ago, Based combines perpetuals trading, prediction markets and real-world crypto spending into a single interface. Built natively on Hyperliquid’s execution environment, the platform seeks to pair institutional-grade speed and liquidity with a consumer-focused experience.
Beyond its app, Based is also extending its technology stack to power third-party venues such as HyENA, a Hyperliquid-native perpetuals platform.
“Most crypto products today are built for traders or builders, not for everyday people who want a complete financial life onchain,” said co-founder and CEO who goes by Edison, in a press release shared with CoinDesk. “We’re building Based so anyone, anywhere can access global markets and also use those funds to purchase things they actually need without jumping through hoops.”
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