US equities have been volatile in early 2025, with reports of significant selloffs earlier in the month due to tariff uncertainties and economic slowdown fears, wiping out trillions in value. However, a rally on March 24—driven by optimism over a possibly more targeted tariff approach from the Trump administration—appears to have spurred this reported $1.35 trillion increase. Major indexes like the S&P 500 saw gains exceeding 1% that day, alongside climbing Treasury yields, reflecting a boost in risk appetite.
The $1.35 trillion surge into US equities markets on March 24, 2025, could have a ripple effect on cryptocurrencies, though the impact hinges on several dynamics playing out in real time. First, the equities rally—sparked by optimism over a potentially softer stance on tariffs from the Trump administration—reflects a broader risk-on sentiment. Historically, when traditional markets like the S&P 500 climb, investors sometimes rotate capital into riskier assets like cryptocurrencies, especially Bitcoin (BTC), which often behaves as a “digital gold” hedge or speculative play.
Market chatter suggest this influx could nudge BTC toward $90K, driven by investors seeking inflation protection if the equity boom signals looser monetary conditions or economic overheating. Ethereum (ETH) might see some lift too, but its gains could lag if Bitcoin-focused ETF inflows dominate, as some have speculated. That said, the crypto response isn’t guaranteed to be a straight shot upward. The equities surge comes after a volatile March, with earlier selloffs tied to tariff fears and economic slowdown concerns. If this $1.35T boost is just a short-term liquidity spike—think “tradfi circus,” as one X post put it—crypto could see a delayed or muted reaction.
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Stablecoin trading pairs (e.g., USDT, USDC) have been driving altcoin volume lately, per CryptoQuant’s CEO, not BTC pairs, suggesting real fiat inflows rather than asset rotation. This could mean altcoins like Solana (SOL), XRP, or Cardano (ADA) catch a wave if new money keeps flowing in, especially with Trump’s crypto-friendly rhetoric still in the air.
On the flip side, if the equity rally falters—say, due to renewed tariff uncertainty or a Federal Reserve pivot to tighter policy—crypto could face downward pressure.
Bitcoin’s been sensitive to Treasury yield spikes (e.g., the 10-year hitting 4.27% recently), and a stronger dollar might sap enthusiasm for risk assets across the board. Ethereum, tied to DeFi and Layer 2 growth, might struggle more if investor confidence wanes, given its weaker 2025 performance versus BTC (44% vs. 115% YTD as of late 2024). short-term, expect a potential BTC bump (maybe $85K-$90K) and selective altcoin pumps if equities keep roaring and stablecoin liquidity holds. Longer-term, it’s a coin toss—crypto’s fate ties to whether this equity surge is a blip or a trend, and how macro factors like rates and regulation evolve.
Donald Trump’s crypto policies have evolved significantly since his first term, reflecting a shift from skepticism to strong advocacy by his second administration in 2025. Here’s a breakdown of his current stance and actions. During his 2024 campaign, Trump pivoted from his earlier 2019 criticism—where he called cryptocurrencies “based on thin air” and linked them to illegal activities—to embracing them as a tool for American innovation and economic leadership. At the Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville, he pledged to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the planet” and outlined key promises: halting federal sales of seized Bitcoin, creating a strategic Bitcoin reserve, and ensuring regulations would be crafted by crypto-friendly voices.
His campaign even accepted crypto donations, signaling alignment with the industry’s interests. Since taking office in January 2025, Trump has acted swiftly. On January 23, he signed an executive order titled “Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology,” which established a President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets under the National Economic Council. Led by David Sacks, his appointed “AI and Crypto Czar,” this group is tasked with drafting a new regulatory framework within 60 days, exploring a national digital asset stockpile using seized cryptocurrencies, and protecting crypto firms’ access to banking services.
The order explicitly bans U.S. central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), favoring private stablecoins tied to the dollar, and repealed Biden-era crypto policies perceived as restrictive. Trump’s appointees reinforce this pro-crypto tilt. Paul Atkins, nominated as SEC chair, is a known advocate for lighter regulation, contrasting with Gary Gensler’s enforcement-heavy tenure. Sacks, a former PayPal exec and early Bitcoin investor, is steering policy from the White House, while a rumored crypto advisory council—potentially including execs from firms like Coinbase, Ripple, and Kraken—aims to coordinate with agencies like the SEC and CFTC.
The strategic Bitcoin reserve idea has sparked debate. Initially pitched as retaining the government’s $5 billion-plus in seized Bitcoin (as of late 2023), it’s expanded into a broader “Crypto Asset Reserve” concept, potentially including tokens like Ethereum or XRP, funded without taxpayer dollars. Some claim Trump might force the Federal Reserve to open accounts for crypto firms, though no official confirmation exists as of now. Critics, including some Democrats and industry voices, worry this could favor certain tokens (e.g., Trump’s own World Liberty Financial project) or destabilize bipartisan efforts for balanced regulation.
Bitcoin hit $109,071 in early 2025 amid optimism over these policies, though it’s since hovered around $88k-$90,000. The administration’s moves—like the new crypto task force under Hester “Crypto Mom” Peirce—signal a push for clarity over crackdowns, potentially boosting institutional adoption. However, skeptics in reports caution that Trump’s personal crypto venture, World Liberty Financial (launched in September 2024 with a $WLFI token), risks conflicts of interest, with some calling it a “cash grab” that’s alienated parts of the crypto community.