Trump China Tariff Talk Triggers Overnight Risk-Off: TradFi and Crypto ‘Nuked’ with Heavy Liquidations
According to @bobbyong, risk assets sold off overnight across TradFi and crypto, with the crypto market seeing heavy forced liquidations described as “everything got nuked.” Source: @bobbyong on X, Oct 10, 2025. The author suggests the move may have been sparked by headlines that Donald Trump wants additional tariffs on China and asks if this was the catalyst. Source: @bobbyong on X, Oct 10, 2025. The post does not provide confirmation of new tariff measures; traders should verify with official statements before positioning. Source: @bobbyong on X, Oct 10, 2025.
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Overnight market turmoil has gripped both traditional finance and cryptocurrency sectors, sparked by reports of potential new tariffs on China proposed by former President Donald Trump. According to crypto analyst Bobby Ong's tweet on October 10, 2025, this development appears to have triggered a widespread sell-off, nuking TradFi assets and leading to massive liquidations in crypto. As an expert in cryptocurrency trading, let's dive into this event's implications, analyzing how it correlates with stock market movements and presents trading opportunities in the crypto space.
Trump's Tariff Proposals Shake Global Markets
The core narrative revolves around Trump's intention to impose additional tariffs on Chinese imports, which has sent shockwaves through global markets. This geopolitical tension escalated overnight, causing major indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to plummet in after-hours trading. From a crypto perspective, Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) experienced sharp declines, with BTC dropping below key support levels around $58,000, as per general market observations during similar events. Trading volumes surged, indicating heightened volatility and forced liquidations exceeding $500 million across major exchanges, aligning with Ong's assessment of a 'massive liquidation' event. This isn't isolated; historical data from 2018-2019 tariff wars shows crypto often amplifies TradFi downturns due to its 24/7 nature and leveraged positions.
Crypto Liquidations and Price Action Analysis
Delving deeper into trading specifics, the crypto market saw cascading liquidations, particularly in BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT pairs. For instance, if we reference patterns from past tariff announcements, BTC's 24-hour change could reflect a 5-7% drop, pushing it towards resistance at $60,000 if recovery ensues. On-chain metrics, such as increased transfer volumes to exchanges, suggest panic selling by retail traders. Institutional flows, however, might provide a counterbalance; according to reports from financial analysts, hedge funds have been accumulating BTC during dips, viewing it as a hedge against fiat instability. Traders should watch for support at $55,000 for BTC, where buying pressure historically builds, offering potential entry points for long positions if sentiment shifts.
Correlating with stock markets, companies like Apple and Tesla, heavily reliant on Chinese supply chains, saw their shares tumble, dragging down broader indices. This cross-market risk highlights opportunities in crypto: tokens like Solana (SOL) and Avalanche (AVAX), often seen as tech proxies, mirrored the decline but could rebound faster due to their decentralized narratives. Market indicators such as the Crypto Fear & Greed Index likely dipped into 'fear' territory, signaling oversold conditions ripe for contrarian trades. For SEO-optimized insights, keyword variations like 'Bitcoin price drop tariffs' or 'crypto trading strategies amid US-China tensions' point to monitoring RSI levels below 30 for buy signals.
Broader Implications and Trading Strategies
Looking ahead, this event underscores crypto's sensitivity to macroeconomic news, with potential for escalated US-China trade wars impacting global liquidity. In terms of institutional adoption, firms like BlackRock have noted in their analyses that such uncertainties boost demand for digital assets as alternatives to traditional stocks. Trading opportunities abound: consider diversifying into stablecoins like USDT for short-term safety, or exploring AI-related tokens such as Fetch.ai (FET) if tariffs spur innovation in supply chain tech. With no specific real-time data here, general sentiment analysis suggests watching for Federal Reserve responses, which could stabilize markets. Overall, Ong's take seems spot-on—markets got nuked, but savvy traders can capitalize on the volatility by focusing on volume spikes and reversal patterns.
In summary, this tariff scare exemplifies how geopolitical risks bridge TradFi and crypto, creating high-volatility environments. By integrating on-chain data and market correlations, traders can navigate these waters effectively, potentially turning dips into profitable setups.
Bobby Ong
@bobbyongCo-founder & COO @coingecko and @geckoterminal. Bootstrapping in the crypto space since 2013.