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Crypto Market Recovers After Record Wipeout Triggered by Trump's Tariff Threats

By DarshitaNewcomer0 rep· 10/13/2025

The cryptocurrency market experienced a significant rebound following a historic single-day liquidation event, which saw billions wiped out. Bitcoin and Ethereum, among other major digital assets, saw sharp declines before initiating a recovery. This volatility was largely attributed to geopolitical tensions stemming from U.S. President Trump's announcement of increased tariffs on Chinese imports.

 

Key Takeaways

  • The crypto market suffered its largest single-day wipeout in history, with nearly $20 billion in liquidations.

  • Bitcoin fell from $121,000 to $109,000 in seven hours, while Ethereum dropped to $3,686.

  • The sell-off was triggered by President Trump's threat of increased tariffs on China and cancellation of a meeting with President Xi Jinping.

  • Traditional stock markets also saw declines, with the Nasdaq, S&P 500, and Dow Jones all falling.

  • The market began to recover as China appeared to soften its stance, with analysts suggesting the crash was a geopolitical overreaction.

 

Historic Liquidation Event

The cryptocurrency market endured a brutal sell-off, resulting in what analysts are calling the "largest single-day wipeout in crypto history." Over a seven-hour period on Friday, Bitcoin's price plummeted from $121,000 to $109,000. Ethereum also experienced a significant drop, hitting a low of $3,686, while Solana dipped below $173. This volatile trading session led to a "flash crash of liquidations," with nearly $7 billion wiped out in just one hour, predominantly from long positions. By the end of the day, total liquidations across all digital assets reached close to $20 billion, with approximately $16.7 billion stemming from long positions.

 

Geopolitical Spark and Market Contagion

The crypto market's downturn was not an isolated event; it was part of a broader market reaction to geopolitical news. The sell-off across both crypto and traditional markets was ignited by President Trump's announcement that he was canceling a planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and had ordered a "massive increase" in tariffs on Chinese imports. This threat, acknowledged by Trump as potentially "painful" for Americans, sent risk assets into a tailspin. The Nasdaq fell 3.6%, the S&P 500 dropped 2.7%, and the Dow Jones declined 1.9%, indicating a market-wide response to the escalating trade war tensions.

 

A Textbook Relief Rally

As the weekend approached, a sense of calm began to return to the markets. China appeared to soften its stance, leading analysts to suggest that the initial market rout was a brief, albeit violent, geopolitical overreaction. This shift paved the way for a significant rebound. Dean Serroni, CEO of Merkle Tree Capital, described the recovery as a "textbook relief rally," attributing Ethereum's 11% surge to short-covering and mean reversion following the market's initial overreaction to the tariff news. The recovery has seen Bitcoin rise 5% to $115,100 and Ethereum jump 10.5% to $4,138, with other major altcoins like Solana, BNB, and Dogecoin also posting double-digit gains. Analysts emphasize that this rout was a geopolitical knee-jerk reaction rather than a fundamental structural break in the market.

 

Sources

This article was created with support from AI-driven technology, drawing on multiple reputable sources. The final content has been thoroughly reviewed and edited by BlockzHub's editorial team to ensure accuracy, clarity, and coherence. Original reporting sources are credited whenever appropriate and as required. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the official views or positions of BlockzHub. This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or professional advice. Investing involves risk, and you should consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

 

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Crypto Market Recovers After Record Wipeout Triggered by Trump's Tariff Threats | BlockzHub