BTC has been swinging violently around tariff headlines as mentions of “tariffs” have increased on crypto social media.
Mentions of “tariffs” increased on cryptocurrency social media platforms after President Donald Trump announced a 15% global tariff on imports, according to data from market intelligence firm Santiment.
The increase in social media discussions reflects previous episodes that coincided with significant price movements in Bitcoin markets, Santiment reported. Over the past year, three separate pricing announcements have generated large increases in discourse across platforms including X, Reddit and Telegram, each occurring near notable market changes.
In April 2025, Trump introduced country-specific tariffs, including a 60% tariff on China and tariffs ranging from 25% to 40% targeting Mexico, the European Union, Japan and India. Social media engagement around the tariffs increased sharply as retail traders reacted to the policy announcement, according to Santiment. The rise in retail-focused discourse has coincided with increased volatility in cryptocurrency markets, the company said. This period aligned with a process of market bottoming, with prices stabilizing and then recovering.
Five days after Bitcoin hit an all-time high, Trump announced a 100% tariff on Chinese imports. Social media volume increased again, even though the fare was canceled two days later. This period marked a high before Bitcoin entered a four-month decline, according to market data.
The most recent announcement of a 15% global tariff follows a Supreme Court ruling declaring the tariffs illegal, adding uncertainty to markets. Social media chatter about tariffs has increased again, coinciding with new Bitcoin sales, according to Santiment data.
The geopolitical context includes a legal dispute between federal and presidential authority, extending uncertainty beyond economic policy to questions of institutional stability, analysts noted.
Santiment’s data indicates that significant spikes in retail discourse often coincide with emotionally charged phases in market cycles. The trend observed over the past year shows that extreme retail activity aligned with local market lows, while aggressive policy announcements near price peaks preceded prolonged corrections.
Bitcoin’s response to the current pricing situation will depend on broader liquidity conditions and macroeconomic stability, market observers said. Until clarity is provided on policy enforcement and legal resolution, volatility is expected to remain high, according to market analysts.