Bitcoin Climbs Above $95K as Markets Rally Amid Economic Warning Signs

Bitcoin Nears $96K as Markets Rise, Analysts Warn of “Blind” Optimism Amid Trade Turmoil

Crypto and U.S. equities advance despite tariff-driven economic warning signs and uncertain global trade conditions.

Despite mounting economic warning signs tied to ongoing tariff policies, financial markets rallied Tuesday, with Bitcoin leading the charge. The world’s largest cryptocurrency briefly touched $95,400 — edging closer to breaking above the $96,000 mark for the first time since mid-February.

The broader crypto market also showed strength, as the CoinDesk 20 Index — which tracks the top 20 cryptocurrencies excluding stablecoins, exchange tokens, and memecoins — climbed 1.1%. Bitcoin Cash (BCH) was the day’s standout performer, surging 6.3%.

Market Resilience or Risk Blindness?

Equity markets mirrored the gains in digital assets. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq each advanced by 0.55%, signaling continued investor optimism despite a deteriorating macroeconomic backdrop. However, some analysts warn this rebound may be out of sync with reality.

“Hard to fathom how blind the market really is,” posted Jeff Park, Head of Alpha Strategies at Bitwise, on X (formerly Twitter). Park expressed concern that traders are focusing too narrowly on near-term monetary policy while ignoring broader structural risks, such as the long-term impact of the weaponization of the U.S. dollar in global trade.

“A Fed cut means nothing if U.S. creditworthiness is permanently impaired,” Park said. “The cost of capital globally is going higher — that's the real mispricing.”

Crypto Stocks Mixed, Janover Soars

Among crypto-related equities, Coinbase (COIN) and MicroStrategy (MSTR) posted modest gains of 0.9% and 3.3%, respectively. Meanwhile, Janover (JNVR) surged 16%, extending its rally fueled by its strategic accumulation of Solana (SOL), which has recently outperformed.

Economic Fundamentals Send Mixed Signals

Despite market optimism, a wave of new data suggests that the U.S. economy may be losing steam:

• Consumer confidence hit its lowest level since May 2020, according to a new Conference Board report.

• The consumer outlook — a measure of future expectations — fell to levels last seen in 2011.

• Job openings dropped to 7.19 million in March, below analyst expectations of 7.5 million, per the latest JOLTS survey.

These figures come as the Federal Reserve faces mounting pressure to adjust interest rates in response to the growing economic strain caused by President Trump’s renewed trade war.

New Trade Deal, But Details Sparse

Adding to the day’s developments, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced that the White House is finalizing a new trade agreement with an unspecified foreign nation. While short on details, Lutnick stated the deal awaits ratification by the partner country’s leadership.

The announcement offers a glimmer of diplomatic progress, but analysts remain cautious about its near-term economic impact. Previous tariffs have triggered both consumer uncertainty and market volatility, prompting questions about whether any new agreements can stabilize sentiment.

A Rally on Shaky Ground?

With Bitcoin poised to retest the $96K resistance and equities climbing steadily, investors appear to be betting on continued central bank support. But analysts like Park argue that such optimism may prove short-sighted if geopolitical tensions and fiscal instability continue to erode global confidence in the U.S. financial system.

As Park warned: “If the notion of ‘risk-free’ assets is fundamentally challenged, the entire cost structure of global capital shifts. That’s the iceberg — not the rate cut.”

Stay tuned to The Horizons Times for real-time updates on crypto markets, economic policy shifts, and the global financial outlook.