As Trump stirs economic waters, Bitcoin rides the waves — but is it all just a calculated game?
The Bitcoin market is once again reacting to political tremors from the United States — and the epicenter is none other than Donald Trump.
On the night of May 26, Bitcoin jumped 2.5%, nearing the $110,000 mark. The sudden rally followed a post by the former president on his Truth Social platform, where he announced a delay in tariffs on goods from the European Union.
Just days earlier, on May 23, the digital currency dropped by 2% — almost instantly after Trump declared a 50% tariff would take effect on June 1. That announcement marked his first concrete statement on the policy. Now, he’s walking it back.
According to Trump, the tariff delay came after a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who requested the postponement. The new deadline? July 9, 2025 — giving both sides room for negotiation.
But while Trump’s words continue to shake the crypto markets, another force is building behind the scenes: massive institutional investment. American Bitcoin ETFs are seeing record levels of activity. Between May 19 and May 23 alone, $25 billion in trading volume was recorded — the largest weekly total of the year.
Net capital inflow during that same week reached $2.75 billion, one of the strongest performances since Bitcoin ETFs launched in early 2024. These funds — managed by financial giants like BlackRock and Fidelity — are obligated to back every share with actual Bitcoin, adding fuel to the market’s momentum. Collectively, these ETFs now oversee more than $131 billion in Bitcoin assets.
Still, controversy looms large.
Many in the crypto community suspect that Trump’s team is using insider information, potentially placing trades ahead of market-moving statements. It’s a tactic that, not long ago, could have resulted in serious prison time. But under the current political climate, such maneuvers seem to go unchecked.
What’s more, the market is slowly growing immune to Trump’s economic theatrics. Traders are learning that while his statements may trigger short-term volatility, they often lack long-term substance or follow-through.
So while Bitcoin continues to surge and stumble in step with political headlines, one question remains: Are we witnessing economic leadership — or just market manipulation in real time?
