The crypto market is experiencing a turbulent period as Bitcoin drops below the $100,000 mark for the first time in six days, following a series of geopolitical events and regulatory changes.
Bitcoin dropped below the $100,000 mark for the first time in six days on Monday, March 2, as a series of geopolitical events and regulatory changes kept the crypto market on edge.
However, Bitcoin price volatility followed a trend as several events unfolded last week, including US President Donald Trump’s executive order on tariffs, El Salvador’s latest Bitcoin acquisition, and Kraken’s major adjustments to its stablecoin offerings in response to new European Union regulations.
Here’s a closer look at these developments and their impact on the crypto market.
Bitcoin Faces Volatility After Trump’s Executive Order on Tariffs
Bitcoin’s recent fall below $100,000 comes as a direct consequence of new import tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. The executive order introduced a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10% tariff on goods from China. This move, which Trump claims is necessary to address illegal immigration and the flow of dangerous drugs, has already prompted retaliatory measures from these countries.
These tariffs have the potential to raise inflation in the U.S., possibly leading to higher interest rates. Historically, this triggers a shift away from riskier assets like cryptocurrency towards traditional investments such as bonds and term deposits. As the market digests these developments, the crypto community is divided on how these new trade policies will ultimately impact the broader market, with Bitcoin’s current drop reflecting investor caution.
El Salvador Accelerates Bitcoin Accumulation Despite IMF Pressures
Despite facing international scrutiny and pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), El Salvador has continued its Bitcoin accumulation strategy. As of February 1, the country acquired an additional two BTC, bringing its total holdings to over 6,055 BTC, valued at approximately $612 million. The government’s National Bitcoin Office has been actively involved in this process, underscoring the country’s commitment to bolstering its Bitcoin reserves.
El Salvador’s continued purchases come despite adjustments to its earlier Bitcoin legal tender law, which had required businesses to accept Bitcoin as payment. In addition, the country has agreed to scale back public sector involvement in the Bitcoin industry as part of its IMF agreement, which included privatizing the Chivo wallet. However, the decision to increase its Bitcoin holdings reflects El Salvador’s belief in the long-term value of Bitcoin, even as the government adjusts its approach to integration.
Kraken to Delist Tether’s USDt and Other Stablecoins in Europe Due to MiCA Compliance
In a significant move affecting the European market, Kraken has announced that it will delist Tether (USDT) along with four other stablecoins in order to comply with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). The exchange, one of the largest in the world, confirmed that it will completely remove USDT from its platform by March 31, alongside PayPal USD (PYUSD), Tether EURt (EURT), TrueUSD (TUSD), and TerraClassicUSD (UST) in the European market.
This move aligns Kraken with the latest regulatory standards established by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), which seeks to ensure the stable and compliant operation of crypto exchanges across the EU. Kraken’s transition will occur in phases, with the first major step coming on February 13, when margin pairs involving the affected assets will enter “reduce-only” mode for users in the European Economic Area (EEA). From February 27, the assets will be in “sell-only” mode, restricting EEA clients from creating deposit addresses for the affected tokens. Finally, by March 24, all spot trading for the affected stablecoins will cease, closing open orders and exchanging them into other cryptocurrencies or fiat currencies.
The Regulatory Ripple Effect
Kraken’s decision to delist USDT and other stablecoins is part of the larger regulatory push in the EU, as the MiCA regulation continues to take shape. The European Union has long been working towards comprehensive crypto regulation to enhance market stability and consumer protection. With exchanges like Kraken adapting to these new rules, the crypto space is set to see more compliance-driven changes as jurisdictions around the world tighten their regulatory frameworks.
This change, particularly Kraken’s delisting, could have significant consequences on the stablecoin market, especially for Tether (USDT), one of the most widely used stablecoins globally. The MiCA regulation’s implications for crypto exchanges will likely lead to further scrutiny on stablecoins, ensuring that they meet specific regulatory standards moving forward.
Global Impact on Crypto Markets
The convergence of Bitcoin’s price drop, El Salvador’s continued Bitcoin accumulation, and Kraken’s regulatory compliance efforts paints a picture of the crypto industry’s current landscape. Geopolitical shifts such as Trump’s tariffs and increasing regulatory oversight in Europe are shaping the market’s future trajectory. As Bitcoin and stablecoins like Tether face external pressures, both institutional investors and regulators are adjusting their strategies to
