The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned extensive global tariffs that were imposed by President Donald Trump in April 2025. This decision concerned fees ranging from 10-50% for imports from most countries around the world. However, the cryptocurrency market reacted quite moderately to this news.
This is reported by Business • Media
Short-Term Bitcoin Surge and Altcoin Dynamics
Following the announcement of the tariff repeal, the price of Bitcoin briefly rose above the $68,000 mark, but soon returned to previous levels. Altcoins, including the largest by market capitalization, also showed only slight growth – approximately 1% over the day.
The Fear and Greed Index, which reflects the sentiment of market participants, fell to 8 points as of February 21, 2026, indicating “extreme fear.” This suggests a prevailing sense of caution and uncertainty in the market.
“The Fear and Greed Index as of February 21, 2026, has dropped to 8 points, indicating ‘extreme fear’.”
In comparison, after the tariffs were introduced in 2025, Bitcoin initially surged sharply to $88,500 but then fell to $75,000 within a week. Such sharp volatility at that time indicated a significantly stronger market reaction to news regarding U.S. tariff policy.
Details of the Supreme Court Decision and Market Commentary
The court ruled by a majority (6 to 3) that Donald Trump exceeded his authority by using federal emergency law as a legal basis for imposing global “reciprocal” tariffs and specific import duties. At the same time, the issue of compensating importers for paid fees was left to lower courts. If the claims are fully satisfied, the total potential payouts could reach $170 billion.
The Supreme Court’s decision covers tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China, and also questions part of the tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), particularly regarding imports from Brazil and India.
Financial market experts have shared their views on the impact of the court’s decision. Head of the macroeconomic department at 21Shares, Steven Koltman, believes that the repeal of tariffs could put pressure on the dollar and Treasury bonds, but potentially be a positive factor for stocks and cryptocurrencies. A similar opinion is held by Matthew Sigel, head of research at VanEck, who points out the risk of accelerated currency issuance due to decreased customs revenues. Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs emphasizes that this decision does not signify the end of tariff policy — the administration may seek other legal avenues to impose restrictions.
Donald Trump reacted sharply to the Supreme Court’s decision, calling it absurd. He stated that he intends to sign a new document proposing a 10% global tariff and initiate a series of investigations to protect the American economy from unfair competition.
It is worth noting that in May 2025, a U.S. federal court for international trade also ruled Trump’s tariff policy illegal, stating that he exceeded his authority by using a state of emergency as a basis for imposing tariffs on several countries.