Bitcoin (BTC) and gold moved in opposite directions as tensions over tariffs escalated between US President Donald Trump and the European Union.
While the precious metal rallied to fresh record highs amid rising geopolitical uncertainty, the leading digital cryptocurrency slipped. This contrasting move mirrors past patterns observed in October and has reignited debate over what could come next for both assets.
On January 17, 2026, President Trump announced a 10% tariff on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland, effective February 1. The tariffs will rise to 25% on June 1 and stay in effect until the United States secures an agreement to purchase Greenland.
Meanwhile, representatives from the eight countries affected by the new US tariffs met for emergency talks on Sunday. In a joint statement, President Costa and President von der Leyen said the EU “stands in full solidarity” with Denmark and the people of Greenland, signaling a unified political response to Washington’s latest move.
Furthermore, the Financial Times reported that the European Union is weighing a broader countermeasure package that could include tariffs worth up to €93 billion ($107.71 billion) or restrict US companies from the bloc's market.
Tariff Shock Drives Investors to Gold as Stocks and Bitcoin Turn Lower
Markets reacted quickly to the tariff news, but in opposite ways. Gold prices surged to $4,690/oz in early Asian trading hours today, marking a new all-time high (ATH).
Silver prices also rose to a record price of over $94/oz. In contrast, stocks opened lower.
Bitcoin also moved south alongside broader risk assets. BeInCrypto Markets data showed that BTC dipped below the $95,000 level.
At the time of writing, the asset was trading at $92,574, down 2.67% over the past 24 hours. The total cryptocurrency market capitalization fell by nearly $98 billion during the same period.
The price drop triggered a wave of liquidations across the crypto market. Over the past 24 hours, total liquidations reached $864.35 million, with long positions accounting for more than $780 million of that figure.