As US Treasury yields hit 6-month lows, Bitcoin (BTC) price may be poised for a breakout

On April 3, yields on long-term US government debt fell to their lowest levels in six months as investors reacted to growing concerns over the global trade war and the weakening of the US dollar.

Yields on long-term U.S. government debt fell on Tuesday to their lowest levels in six months as investors reacted to growing concerns over the global trade war and the weakening of the greenback.

Yields on U.S. 10-year Treasury notes briefly touched 4.0%, signaling strong demand from buyers. This follows a steep decline from 4.4% reached last week. A weaker dollar and rising tariffs on U.S. imports were seen setting the stage for a period of heightened inflation and lower returns from fixed-income investments, potentially encouraging allocations to alternative assets like Bitcoin (BTC).

Over time, traders are likely to reduce exposure to bonds, particularly if inflation rises. This, in turn, could drive up prices for cryptocurrencies as investors seek to maintain a balanced portfolio.

Tariffs create ‘supply shock’ in the U.S. and impact inflation, fixed-income returns

One could argue that the recently announced U.S. import tariffs negatively impact corporate profitability, forcing some companies to quickly reduce their debt levels and, in turn, reduce market liquidity. Ultimately, any measure that increases risk aversion tends to have a short-term negative effect on Bitcoin, particularly given its strong correlation with the S&P 500 index.

However, Axel Merk, chief investment officer and portfolio manager at Merk Investments, said that tariffs create a “supply shock,” meaning the reduced availability of goods and services due to rising prices causes an imbalance relative to demand. This effect is amplified if interest rates are declining, potentially paving the way for inflationary pressure.

“If you look at it from the perspective of macroeconomic theory, if you have a supply shock and if anything gets scarcer, the price goes up for that particular good or service. We saw that very clearly in the used car market during the pandemic. If you have a demand shock, then the quantity of the good or service will change. But if you have a supply shock, it’s really about the price going up,” Merk explained.

“If you have a supply shock and at the same time, interest rates are going down, then you can get inflation. If you have a demand shock and interest rates are going up, then you get disinflation or even deflation. But in the current environment, with a supply shock and interest rates going down, you would expect to see inflation.”

Even if one does not view Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation, the appeal of fixed-income investments diminishes significantly in such a scenario. Moreover, if just 5% of the world’s $140 trillion bond market seeks higher returns elsewhere, it could translate into $7 trillion in potential inflows into stocks, commodities, real estate, gold, and Bitcoin.

Weaker US dollar amid gold all-time highs favors alternative assets

Gold surged to a $21 trillion market capitalization as it made consecutive all-time highs, and it still has the potential for significant price upside. Higher prices allow previously unprofitable mining operations to resume and it encourages further investment in exploration, extraction, and refining. As production expands, the supply growth will naturally act as a limiting factor on gold’s long-term bull run.

Despite trends in U.S. interest rates, the greenback has weakened against a basket of foreign currencies, as measured by the DXY Index. On Tuesday, the index dropped to 102, its lowest level in six months. A decline in confidence in the U.S. dollar, even in relative terms, could encourage other nations to explore alternative stores of value, including Bitcoin.

This transition does not happen overnight, but the trade war could lead to a gradual shift away from the greenback, particularly among countries that feel pressured by its dominant role. While no one expects a return to the gold standard or Bitcoin to become a major component of national reserves, any movement away from the dollar strengthens Bitcoin’s long-term upside potential and reinforces its position as an alternative asset.

To put things in perspective, Japan, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore collectively hold $2.63 trillion in U.S. Treasuries. If these regions decide to retaliate, bond yields could reverse their trend, increasing the cost of new debt issuance for the U.S. government and further weakening the dollar. In such a scenario, investors would likely avoid adding exposure to stocks, ultimately favoring scarce alternative assets like Bitcoin.

Timing Bitcoin’s market bottom is nearly impossible, but the fact that the $82,000 support level held despite worsening global economic uncertainty is an encouraging sign of its resilience.