- Trump’s tariff plans triggered a sharp sell-off, causing double-digit losses.
- Despite volatility, ETF inflows and institutional interest signal long-term recovery.
The crypto market took a sharp hit on the 25th of February after President Donald Trump announced plans to reinstate tariffs on Canada and Mexico once the current 30-day suspension ends next week.
This triggered a market-wide sell-off, with several cryptocurrencies facing double-digit losses.
However, the latest data from CoinMarketCap suggests a potential recovery.
As of the most recent update, the global crypto market cap was at $2.93 trillion, reflecting a modest 0.8% appreciation in the past 24 hours—an improvement from the previous day’s sharper losses.
Many cryptocurrencies have started trading in the green, signaling a shift in sentiment, though some assets continue to struggle.
Binance CEO weighs in
Seeing this, Binance [BNB] CEO Richard Teng took to X (formerly Twitter) and noted,
“It’s important to view this as a tactical retreat, not a reversal. Crypto has been here before and bounced back even stronger.”
Teng emphasized that while macroeconomic events can temporarily disrupt the crypto market—much like traditional assets—historical trends suggest a strong recovery over time.
He pointed to Bitcoin [BTC]’s sharp decline below $20,000 during the 2022 Federal Reserve rate hikes, which was followed by a steady rebound as market conditions stabilized.
This pattern underscores crypto’s resilience, with downturns often proving to be short-lived corrections rather than lasting trend reversals.
Additionally, Teng noted that the current market dip appears to follow a similar trajectory, suggesting it is part of a broader cycle rather than an indication of prolonged weakness.
He added,
“Institutional interest continues to rise. ETF inflows remain strong and new applications are filed regularly. Binance also continues to see steady inflows of new users. Market cycles come and go, but the fundamental indicators of crypto’s strength are getting stronger.”
Current market sentiment
That being said, the latest market sentiment indicators reflect growing fear among investors.
As of the 26th of February, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index plunged to 21, signaling “Extreme Fear,” a sharp decline of 28 points from its “Neutral” stance of 49 just two days prior.
Similarly, Nansen’s Risk Barometer, which had maintained a “Neutral” reading since mid-November, has now shifted to a “Risk-off” mode, indicating heightened caution in the market.
This steep drop in sentiment suggests that investors are bracing for further volatility amid ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties.
However, strong demand for crypto ETFs and continued filings for new products in the US suggest sustained institutional interest.
Therefore, while Trump’s initial tariff announcement had triggered over $2 billion in liquidations across major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, XRP, Dogecoin, and Solana, the market’s resilience remains evident.
As economic conditions evolve, investor sentiment and regulatory clarity will play a crucial role in shaping the next phase of the crypto cycle.
