Financial markets experienced significant turmoil yesterday, as former President Donald Trump announced a new round of tariffs, dubbed “Tariff Shock 2: Neodymium Boogaloo.” This development led to a notable decline in both US stock prices and oil, causing widespread concern among investors.
The turbulence extended beyond traditional markets, with many second-tier cryptocurrencies suffering substantial losses. Popular digital currencies, including Dogecoin, Cardano, and Trump coin, saw their values plummet by nearly half immediately after the announcement.
As the day progressed and the clock struck 10:30 PM London time, initial panic subsided, offering a glimmer of stability. By midday today, many top cryptocurrencies had only dipped by about 20%, translating to a staggering $388 billion decline in the market capitalization of the top 100 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies.
Despite the alarming financial news, some observers found humor in the unfolding situation, pointing out the absurdity of the various developments in both traditional and digital markets. The fluctuations reflect growing anxieties about the implications of Trump’s policies as they interact with current economic conditions, leaving stakeholders and everyday investors to navigate the uncertainty.