Bitcoin Slides as Trump Reinstates Tariffs Despite Supreme Court Ruling

Bitcoin’s price experienced a slight decline following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to reimpose a 15% worldwide tariff on imported goods, despite a recent Supreme Court ruling that invalidated earlier trade actions. The move has injected further uncertainty into the markets, impacting cryptocurrencies more significantly than traditional markets.

Tariff Hike and Bitcoin’s Reaction

President Trump announced the increase from a previously set 10% tariff via a post on Truth Social, calling the Supreme Court’s decision “anti-American.” The modern tariffs are effective immediately, even as the administration determines “new and legally permissible Tariffs” in the coming months.

Bitcoin (BTC) initially saw a brief uptick of around 0.5% before losing nearly 1% of its value in response to the announcement, currently trading at approximately $68,000 CoinDesk. Ether also experienced a decrease, falling 0.45% to $1,980.

Supreme Court Ruling and Initial Bitcoin Response

Just days prior, on February 20, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled against President Trump’s tariffs, stating that he had exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) Yahoo Finance. This initial ruling led to a temporary rise in Bitcoin’s price, reaching nearly $67,800 before settling around $67,271, a 1% increase.

Broader Market Impact and Lost Gains

The tariff developments have impacted the broader cryptocurrency market. Bitcoin has now reversed the gains made since Donald Trump’s re-election in November 2024. Bitcoin had reached a record high of over $126,000 in October of last year, fueled by expectations of a crypto-friendly second term for President Trump. But, a subsequent sell-off has erased over $2 trillion in value from the crypto market, with another $100 billion lost in the past 24 hours alone.

Bitcoin as a Risk Asset

As a risk asset, Bitcoin is particularly sensitive to uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, such as the ongoing disputes surrounding Iran. This, combined with the tariff situation, creates a challenging outlook for the cryptocurrency.

Key Takeaways

• President Trump has reinstated a 15% worldwide tariff despite a Supreme Court ruling against his previous tariff actions.
• Bitcoin’s price has experienced volatility, initially rising after the Supreme Court ruling but declining following the tariff announcement.
• The cryptocurrency market has lost significant value, with over $2 trillion erased since October.
• Bitcoin’s performance is heavily influenced by geopolitical and economic uncertainties.