Trump’s Tariffs Could Fuel Bitcoin Surge? Here’s What Hayes Thinks

As global markets brace for the impact of Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies, BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes sees a silver lining—one that could send Bitcoin soaring in the long run.

In an April 3 post on X, Hayes dismissed fears surrounding the tariffs, stating, “Some of y’all are running scurred, but I LOVE TARIFFS.” He believes that these trade restrictions will destabilize traditional markets, prompting central banks to intervene with fresh liquidity—something that historically benefits Bitcoin.

The Trump administration’s latest tariff plan, set to take effect on April 5, will impose a 10% blanket tariff on all imports, with steeper rates targeting specific regions. These aggressive trade policies have already sent shockwaves through financial markets, triggering the biggest single-day point loss in Nasdaq 100 history.

Hayes argues that such volatility strengthens Bitcoin’s appeal as an alternative store of value. He expects central banks to print more money to offset economic pain, which would weaken the U.S. dollar and drive investors toward assets like Bitcoin and gold.

A Weaker Yuan Could Push Chinese Toward Crypto

One of Hayes’ key predictions is that China may allow the yuan (CNY) to depreciate in response to the 65% effective tariff on Chinese goods. If this happens, Chinese investors could seek refuge in Bitcoin to protect their wealth from currency devaluation.

“China could respond by allowing CNY to weaken past 8.00,” Hayes stated, hinting at a potential flight of capital into digital assets. Historically, capital outflows from China have often found their way into BTC and other cryptocurrencies, especially during times of economic stress.

Meanwhile, financial analysts have noted a sharp decline in U.S. Treasury yields following the tariff announcement. Hayes interprets this as a sign that markets expect the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates—a move that would inject more liquidity into the system and make riskier assets, including Bitcoin, more attractive to investors.

Bitwise Strategist Predicts a Bitcoin Boom

Hayes isn’t the only one who sees BTC as a winner in this financial turbulence. Jeff Park, Head of Alpha Strategies at Bitwise Invest, has long maintained that Trump’s tariffs would be a bullish catalyst for Bitcoin.

In a February 3 post, Park stated that a “weaker dollar and lower U.S. interest rates” would lead to an explosion in risk assets, including crypto. He even went as far as to say, “Bookmark this and revisit as the financial war unravels, sending Bitcoin violently higher.”

While short-term market reactions have been volatile, the broader implications of these tariffs could create a favorable environment for BTC, especially if central banks intervene with fresh rounds of economic stimulus.