Market sentiment turned bearish, affecting most cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin briefly dropped nearly 6% to $93,890, while smaller tokens saw even sharper declines. Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, plunged 27% on Monday, February 3, to $2,135. It later rebounded slightly, but experts see this as its largest intraday drop since May 2021.
On the morning of February 3, Ethereum traded near $2,500, while Bitcoin hovered around $93,960. Meanwhile, XRP, associated with Ripple, fell over 15% to $2.20.
Analysts point out that Trump’s multi-billion-dollar tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico will take effect soon, potentially disrupting global trade. He has also threatened to impose tariffs on the European Union. “Trump’s tariff war is impacting the whole market,” Caroline Bowler, CEO of BTC Markets, said. Concerns over trade conflicts and stagflation, which could trigger a recession, are spreading across altcoins and Bitcoin, she added.
Given these developments, experts believe Bitcoin’s bull market could be nearing its end. Although weaker than previous cycles, the current one shows similarities to the 2015–2018 period, leaving room for further growth. According to Glassnode analysts, this Bitcoin rally is marked by a slowdown in price momentum. If Bitcoin reaches a new all-time high and attracts fresh investors, its bull phase could conclude soon.
These market fluctuations mark a sharp reversal after the recent rally fueled by Trump’s pro-crypto stance during his election campaign and after his victory. On January 24, the president signed an executive order to establish a task force that will draft key regulations for US crypto firms within six months. The group will also explore the creation of a national crypto reserve.
Ethereum has dropped more than Bitcoin, Solana, and Ripple. According to Jonathan Yark, a leading trader, this is because the latter assets are expected to be included in the US digital asset reserve. As a result, Ethereum’s liquidity has been less resilient than Bitcoin’s, making it more vulnerable to volatility, he explained.
Meanwhile, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has fast-tracked the approval of a combined spot ETF for Bitcoin and Ethereum by Bitwise. Earlier, the agency gave the green light to similar funds from Hashdex and Franklin Templeton.
Despite optimism about Trump’s crypto plans, his tariff announcements triggered a strong sell-off over the weekend as traders hedged against broader macroeconomic risks. However, Bitcoin has weathered the downturn better than smaller tokens, which suggests it may recover successfully, Sean McNulty, head of derivatives at a financial firm, said.
