Tariffs Wreaking Havoc... But Bitcoin is Just Fine! (This week in crypto summary April 4)IntroductionCrypto Stays Strong Amid Tariff ChaosChina Slaps

Introduction

Welcome to a wild week in crypto! On 4 April 2025, Brian and Maksim tackle a livestream packed with insights on tariffs, market crashes and the surprising strength of crypto. Brian, Director of Marketing, brings years of market analysis to the table. Maksim, CEO of Santiment, adds a global perspective on sentiment and trends. Why listen to them? They combine hard data with real-time reactions to unpack chaos like the S&P 500's 10% plunge and China's 34% tariff retaliation. Want to know how bitcoin holds up while stocks bleed? Or why the whales are moving? Let's break it down.

Crypto Stays Strong Amid Tariff Chaos

Brian opens with a striking observation. Tariffs dominate the news, yet crypto barely flinches. Stocks tanked after Trump’s tariff announcements, but Bitcoin and Ethereum show resilience. This surprises even experts since crypto moved with the S&P 500 since 2022. Brian suggests it’s a turning point. For investors, it’s a chance to watch crypto’s independence grow. Can it thrive alone? That’s the big question.

China Slaps 34% Tariff on the US – Trade War Escalates

China fires back with a 34% tariff on US exports. Brian calls it retaliation to Trump’s policy, unveiled a day earlier. Asian nations like Japan and South Korea align with China, hinting at a broader pushback. This tit-for-tat hike spikes costs by over a third. Brian notes it’s the opposite of Trump’s goal—mutual tariff cuts. Markets feel the heat. Investors should brace for more global tension.

Tariffs 101: Brian Explains It Like You’re Five

Brian simplifies tariffs for everyone. He wrote breaking it down: tariffs tax imports and exports, aiming to balance trade. Trump wants fairness for the US. Critics see a trade war brewing. Half the cost of exports from countries like Cambodia face tariffs. It’s a clear explanation with no jargon. Social media reactions range from panic to denial. Readers can grasp why markets are shaky.

S&P 500 Hits 11-Month Lows – A Visual Deep Dive

The S&P 500 sheds 10% in two days. Brian shows charts proving it’s the worst drop since COVID in 2020. It’s now at May 2024 levels. A 4.8% drop today follows yesterday’s 5.1%. Brian ties it to policy, not a virus. China’s retaliation snowballs the decline. Stock traders face a grim reality. Crypto fans might not.

Best-Case vs. Worst-Case Tariff Scenarios

Brian outlines two paths. Best case: countries negotiate, tariffs ease, and markets recover. Worst case: more nations like China raise tariffs, forcing the US to rebuild factories. Trump wants a fair system, but higher tariffs from others suggest failure so far. The middle ground means a long wait. Patience is key for investors.

Maksim Joins: Trump’s Tariffs Could Tank Sentiment

Maksim jumps in with a bold take. Trump’s election boosted stocks and crypto. Now, as markets sink, he might become the villain. At the bottom, he’ll be hated, Maksim predicts. Social media already shifts blame his way. Sentiment drives prices. Watch crowd reactions—they signal turns.

Are Tariffs the Start of a Years-Long Decline?

Maksim warns of a 1930s-style slump. If tariffs persist and countries join China, recovery could take years. It took 15 years to recover in the 1930s, he says. Brian recalls 2018 tariffs under Trump—they hurt then rallied later. Long-term pain is possible. Crypto might dodge this bullet.

Bitcoin’s Secret Weapon: No Imports, No Problem?

Maksim digs into crypto’s edge. It’s not tariffed—no goods to ship. But liquidity matters more. People need cash to buy in. Stocks fall as economies slow, yet crypto holds. Crypto moves faster to a bottom, Maksim says. Less complexity than stocks helps. Investors can act quick here.

Is Crypto’s Bottom Near? Price and Narrative Clues

Brian and Maksim spot bottom signals. Bitcoin’s at 83.4K, up slightly. Narratives shift to panic. On-chain data shows old coins moving. Price and narrative match a bottom, Brian says. A rebound could be close. Check charts and news. Timing matters now.

Whales Are Watching: Bitcoin’s Big Players Move

Whales with 10+ BTC wallets buy the dip. Brian tracks a 2.6% rise in 1,000-10,000 BTC wallets. Exchanges hold less Bitcoin than since 2018. Supply on exchanges is at 7-year lows, he notes. Whales see value. It’s a confidence boost.

Bitcoin Supply on Exchanges Hits 7-Year Low

Brian doubles down on exchange data. Only 7.6% of Bitcoin sits there—lowest since October 2018. Less selling pressure builds. It’s a great sign, he says. Low supply fuels price potential. Hodlers rule the game.

Tariff Panic Sparks Old Coin Movement

A huge “age consumed” spike hits as tariffs drop. Brian ties it to profit-taking. Prices reverse slightly after. Old coins moving means momentum, he explains. It’s a classic signal. Watch on-chain shifts. They hint at turns.

Crowd Sentiment Turns Bearish – A Hidden Opportunity?

Social media screams “lower” for Bitcoin. Brian sees a twist. Bearish crowds often signal bounces. People panic without checking prices, he says. Data backs it up. Contrarian bets could pay off.

Ethereum’s Struggle: On-Chain Activity Tanks

Ethereum lags hard. Transaction volume and active addresses drop. Returns sit at -7.3% (30 days) and -36.9% (365 days). It’s way negative, Brian notes. He sees pain. Ethereum’s a tough hold. Look elsewhere for now.

Sonic (Fantom) Social Buzz Soars – What’s Happening?

Sonic grabs attention. Social dominance hits 6.9%—big for a #53 altcoin. Brian ties it to an 8% bounce. It’s on the radar, he says. No top yet. Altcoin fans should watch.

Nakamoto Games: Whales Accumulate a Struggling Coin

Nakamoto Games, #558, sees whales grab 5.6M coins ($2M). Brian spots a 65% price drop since January. Retail quits; whales dive in. It’s a bullish divergence, he says. Obscure coins can surprise. Track this one.

Crypto’s Fate Hinges on Tariff News

Maksim and Brian wrap up. Crypto ranges until tariffs resolve. A deal could spark a bounce. Neutral or positive isn’t bad, Brian says. No crash yet. Stay news-alert. Big moves loom.

Conclusion

This week’s livestream reveals crypto’s grit. Tariffs crush stocks, but Bitcoin and altcoins like Sonic shine. Maksim and Brian show why data matters—whale moves, exchange supply, and sentiment flip the script. The S&P 500’s 10% crash stings, yet crypto’s bottom nears.

Tariffs could drag on, but crypto’s agility stands out. Want to stay ahead? Follow the data. Join us next week for more.