Crypto News: Bitcoin Slips Below $92K as EU Threatens ‘Trade Bazooka,’ Gold Hits New Record High
Bitcoin came under heavy selling pressure on Monday as renewed trade war tensions between the United States and Europe triggered a broad risk-off move across global markets, sending gold futures to record highs.Bitcoin drops as macro uncertainty returnsBitcoin fell nearly 3.6% within hours, sliding from around $95,450 to below $92,000, according to TradingView data.The sudden decline sparked aggressive liquidations across derivatives markets. More than $750 million in long positions were wiped out in four hours, pushing total 24-hour liquidations beyond $860 million, data from Coinglass shows.At the time of writing, Bitcoin had recovered slightly to around $92,580, but remained under pressure as traders reassessed macro risk.Gold and silver surge as investors seek safetyWhile crypto and equities weakened, capital rotated sharply into traditional safe-haven assets.Gold futures surged to a record high of $4,667 per ounce, while silver futures climbed above $93 per ounce, marking the highest level in history, according to Google Finance.The move highlights a growing short-term divergence between digital assets and hard commodities during periods of geopolitical stress.U.S. equity futures also traded lower, reflecting heightened uncertainty ahead of Wall Street’s full reopening.EU threatens retaliation over Trump tariff planMarket volatility intensified after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to impose 10% tariffs starting Feb. 1 on imports from several European countries, including:DenmarkSwedenFranceGermanyNetherlandsFinlandThe tariff rate would increase to 25% by June if negotiations fail. Trump also named the United Kingdom and Norway among countries that could face higher U.S. levies.The announcement is linked to escalating tensions surrounding Greenland, which has emerged as a new flashpoint in transatlantic relations.European leaders responded swiftly. French President Emmanuel Macron urged the European Union to activate its “anti-coercion instrument,” widely referred to as the EU’s “trade bazooka.”The mechanism would allow Brussels to restrict U.S. access to European markets. EU officials are also weighing €93 billion ($108 billion) in previously delayed retaliatory tariffs.“At least judging from the first reactions, some European leaders are willing to play hardball,” said Carsten Brzeski, global head of macro at ING, according to CNN.Trade war fears drive risk-off sentimentCrypto analysts say the tariff escalation is reinforcing a defensive posture across risk assets.“Trump’s tariff threats are reviving trade war fears and pushing markets into a risk-off mode,” said Andri Fauzan Adziima, research lead at Bitrue.“Bitcoin still behaves like a high-beta technology asset. When macro uncertainty spikes, it gets hit first.”Jeff Mei, chief operating officer at BTSE, said investors are currently pricing in worst-case outcomes.“This time the tariffs target some of America’s closest allies,” Mei said.“If U.S. markets conclude that these threats are credible, institutions may continue reducing exposure.”volatility likely to persistAnalysts caution that Bitcoin’s short-term trajectory remains highly sensitive to geopolitical developments, particularly trade policy, inflation expectations and liquidity conditions.While previous macro-driven sell-offs have ultimately given way to recoveries, the immediate environment favors capital preservation rather than risk expansion.With gold and silver entering price discovery and crypto facing renewed volatility, markets appear set for continued turbulence until clarity emerges on the U.S.–EU trade negotiations.
