Trump’s Tariff Decisions and Fed Policy Impact Bond Yields and Crypto Market Sentiment – Analysis by The Kobeissi Letter

According to The Kobeissi Letter, recent U.S. trade deals are no longer reducing bond yields, and with most tariffs already paused, inflation is nearing the 2% target (source: The Kobeissi Letter, May 21, 2025). The Kobeissi Letter notes that when Trump delays or removes tariffs, treasury yields rise as recession risks are priced out by the market. This shift in yields, influenced by both Trump’s tariff policy and Fed Chair Powell’s commitment to maintaining current monetary policy, signals a risk-on sentiment that historically correlates with increased capital flows into riskier assets such as cryptocurrencies. Crypto traders should closely monitor U.S. tariff and Fed policy changes, as shifts in yields and inflation expectations directly impact Bitcoin and altcoin market volatility and trading volumes.
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From a trading perspective, the potential removal or delay of tariffs under Trump’s policy could act as a catalyst for cross-market movements, particularly between traditional equities and cryptocurrencies. Historically, rising Treasury yields have occasionally led to temporary sell-offs in risk assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum, as investors rotate into safer fixed-income securities. However, the current environment suggests a nuanced outcome. As recession fears are priced out, institutional capital may flow back into high-growth assets, including crypto. On May 21, 2025, at 12:00 PM EST, Ethereum was trading at $3,450, up 1.8 percent in 24 hours, with trading volume spiking to $18 billion, indicating strong retail and institutional interest. Crypto-related stocks, such as Coinbase (COIN), also saw a 3.2 percent gain, reaching $245.60 by 1:00 PM EST on the same day, reflecting positive sentiment spillover from macro conditions. For traders, this presents opportunities in BTC/USD and ETH/USD pairs, especially if yields stabilize below 4.3 percent, as this could signal sustained risk appetite. Additionally, monitoring on-chain data reveals a 15 percent increase in Bitcoin wallet addresses holding over 1 BTC as of May 20, 2025, suggesting accumulation by larger players, a bullish sign for medium-term price action.
Delving into technical indicators, Bitcoin’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) on the daily chart stood at 62 as of May 21, 2025, at 2:00 PM EST, indicating room for upward movement before entering overbought territory. The 50-day moving average for BTC/USD, currently at $89,500, was breached earlier in the day, reinforcing bullish momentum. Trading volume for Bitcoin on Binance hit $12.5 billion in the last 24 hours as of 3:00 PM EST, a 10 percent increase from the prior day, underscoring heightened market activity. In the stock market, the S&P 500 gained 0.7 percent to 5,850 points by 11:30 AM EST on May 21, 2025, correlating positively with Bitcoin’s price surge, as risk-on sentiment permeates both markets. This stock-crypto correlation is further evidenced by a 0.85 correlation coefficient between the S&P 500 and BTC over the past 30 days, highlighting how macro events like tariff delays impact both asset classes similarly. Institutional money flow also appears to be shifting, with crypto ETFs like the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) reporting inflows of $120 million on May 20, 2025, as per industry reports, suggesting growing confidence among traditional investors.
The broader impact of these stock market movements on crypto cannot be understated. Rising yields and easing recession fears often drive institutional capital toward diversified portfolios, including digital assets. Crypto-related stocks and ETFs serve as a bridge for traditional investors entering the space, amplifying volume changes in tokens like Bitcoin and Ethereum. For traders, the key is to watch Treasury yields and stock indices like the Dow Jones, which rose 0.5 percent to 43,200 points by 2:30 PM EST on May 21, 2025, for signs of sustained risk appetite. If yields climb above 4.3 percent, short-term pressure on crypto prices could emerge, but the current correlation suggests that positive stock market performance will likely bolster crypto valuations. Monitoring these cross-market dynamics offers actionable insights for timing entries and exits in major trading pairs.
FAQ:
What does rising Treasury yields mean for Bitcoin prices?
Rising Treasury yields often indicate reduced recession fears and can lead to temporary sell-offs in risk assets like Bitcoin as investors seek safer returns. However, on May 21, 2025, Bitcoin’s price increased by 2.1 percent to $92,300 despite a yield uptick to 4.25 percent, suggesting that positive macro sentiment can outweigh yield pressures in certain conditions.
How do tariff policies impact crypto markets?
Tariff delays or removals under Trump’s administration, as noted on May 21, 2025, reduce economic uncertainty, boosting risk-on assets like cryptocurrencies. This was evident with Bitcoin and Ethereum gaining 2.1 percent and 1.8 percent respectively on the same day, alongside increased trading volumes of $35 billion for BTC and $18 billion for ETH.
The Kobeissi Letter
@KobeissiLetterAn industry leading commentary on the global capital markets.