Less than 24 hours remaining: Trump imposes tariffs, what should you do with your Bitcoin?

On February 22, 2026, Donald Trump posted on social media. He called the Supreme Court’s ruling “ridiculous and poorly reasoned” and announced an immediate increase of the global tariff from 10% to 15% on many countries. The new tariffs will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on February 24. After the post was made, Bitcoin dropped 4.8% within 24 hours, briefly approaching $64,300, hitting its lowest point since February 6. Ethereum declined even more, over 5%. Many traders are watching the candlestick charts, asking the same question: what should I do now?

Source: The Block Beats

Trump’s Tariffs and My Bitcoin—What’s the Connection?

This is the most confusing part for beginners: why does a U.S. president’s tariff policy cause Bitcoin to plummet thousands of miles away? The answer lies in four words: macro expectations. When Trump announced the tariffs, the market anticipated a chain reaction: higher tariffs make imported goods more expensive, fueling inflation; rising inflation makes the Federal Reserve hesitant to cut rates or may even raise them; less money in the market leads to declines in risk assets. Over the past year, Bitcoin has increasingly shown characteristics of a “high-risk asset.” It’s no longer just “digital gold” hedging all risks, but a “high beta asset” closely correlated with U.S. tech stocks and liquidity conditions. When the dollar strengthens, Bitcoin falls; when rate hike expectations rise, Bitcoin falls; when funds seek safety, Bitcoin falls even more. This time is no different. After Trump posted on Saturday, Bitcoin broke below $65,000 during Asian trading on Monday. Delta Exchange analysts explained directly: Trump’s announcement of a 15% global tariff shook risk assets worldwide, triggering a sharp shift toward risk aversion. So the answer is: your Bitcoin wasn’t directly confiscated by Trump; it was scared down by macro expectations.

The $60,000 Level That Has Everyone Holding Their Breath

Currently, everyone is watching one number: $60,000. Orbit Markets’ co-founder said the crypto market remains fragile, with participants hoping for support at $60,000. BTC Markets analysts were more specific: $65,000 is a key support level. If it decisively breaks below, $60,000 becomes the next target. Why is $60,000 so important? From a technical perspective, $60,000 is a historically dense zone of price consolidation, with high trading volume and natural support. Psychologically, it’s a round number—breaking below could shift market sentiment from “correction” to “trend reversal,” triggering more panic selling. From a liquidity standpoint, many leveraged positions have risk controls set at this level; if triggered, they could cause a chain reaction of sell-offs. If $60,000 also fails to hold, analysts suggest the next target could be $55,000. But there’s good news: on the weekly chart, Bitcoin is still within an upward channel. As long as it stays above $60, the medium-term bullish structure remains intact. In plain language: as long as it doesn’t break below $60, it’s not the worst yet.

Why This Time Is Different

Some might say: Trump isn’t the first to mess with tariffs, Bitcoin has already dropped before, so what’s the big deal? What’s different this time is that the legal basis has been stripped away. On February 20, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Trump’s previous use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to implement broad tariffs lacked clear legal authorization. This ruling is not just about “canceling some tariffs,” but about negating the legality of a president unilaterally imposing extensive tariffs during peacetime under emergency powers. What does this mean? It means tariffs have shifted from “a high-intensity weapon” to “a temporary tool under legal risk.” Trump is now reimposing tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, but this clause has time limits—up to 150 days—and requires global uniform application, not targeting specific countries. To extend beyond that, congressional approval is needed, which is not easy. For markets, the biggest concern isn’t the tariffs themselves but the uncertainty of the rules. Whether tariffs are legal, whether they will be extended, or whether courts will strike them down again—all enter the realm of judicial and political battles. This institutional uncertainty often triggers more asset volatility than economic variables themselves.

What to Do in Less Than 24 Hours Before the New Tariffs Take Effect

With less than a day until the tariffs go into effect, if you’re anxiously watching candlestick charts and asking whether to sell, buy the dip, or hold your breath, here are three suggestions. First, avoid chasing highs or panic selling. Cutting losses in panic or FOMO buying at the top are the fastest ways to lose money. The market has already priced in a lot of fear before the tariffs are implemented; selling now at a low probability of catching the bottom. Second, focus on the $60,000 level. This is the most critical psychological and technical support right now. If you hold spot positions and don’t want to tinker, use this as an observation point: as long as it doesn’t decisively break below, hold; if volume increases and it breaks down, consider reducing your position. Third, manage your leverage and avoid overexposure. In such macro-uncertain times, leverage is your biggest enemy—small reversals can trigger forced liquidations. If you still have leveraged positions, it might be time to reduce risk exposure. Analysts generally believe Bitcoin needs to reclaim $70,000 to reverse the current bearish narrative. Until then, expect high volatility and a sideways, uncertain market.

Conclusion

The new tariffs will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on February 24. How the market will move by then is anyone’s guess. Will Trump post again? Will Congress intervene early? Will courts act again? All are unknowns. But one thing is certain: in uncertain markets, surviving longer is more important than making quick profits. If your position keeps you awake at night, reduce it until you can sleep. If you decide to hold steady, prepare for increased volatility. If you’re on the sidelines now, don’t rush in—opportunities will always come, and losing your principal means losing everything. Less than 24 hours to go—hope this article helps clarify your thinking rather than increase anxiety.