As markets struggle to absorb the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariff measures, Binance CEO Richard Teng suggests that this economic uncertainty could spark increased interest in decentralized digital assets.
Teng: Economic Stress May Reinforce Crypto’s Store-of-Value Appeal
On April 8, Teng addressed the ongoing market turbulence in a post on X (formerly Twitter), noting that while traditional markets may respond negatively in the short term, crypto could benefit over time.
“While this environment may prompt a short-term risk-off reaction,” Teng wrote, “it could also accelerate interest in crypto as a non-sovereign store of value.”
He emphasized that long-term holders continue to view assets like Bitcoin as resilient during periods of macroeconomic and geopolitical instability.
Short-Term Volatility Hits Crypto and Equities Alike
Teng acknowledged that Trump’s newly imposed minimum 10% tariffs on imports from nearly every country have disrupted both traditional and crypto markets. Stocks fell sharply following the announcement, and Bitcoin dropped more than $10,000 over the weekend before stabilizing.
As of Tuesday, BTC was trading around $77,000, reflecting a 2% decline on the day.
Trump Defends Tariffs as an Economic Reset
Speaking from Air Force One, President Trump defended the tariff policy as a corrective measure for what he described as decades of unfair trade practices.
“They took our businesses, they took our money, they took our jobs,” Trump said. “This is economic medicine—we need it.”
However, public sentiment appears divided. A recent Pew Research Center poll found that a majority of Americans disapprove of the tariffs, citing inflation concerns and potential economic disruption.
Crypto Industry Sees Opportunity Amid Instability
Teng’s remarks reflect a growing narrative in the crypto sector: financial instability and centralized policy shocks may drive investors to explore non-sovereign alternatives such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
With global markets on edge and trust in fiat systems under scrutiny, digital assets are increasingly seen as hedges against uncertainty.Whether this moment becomes a true inflection point for adoption remains to be seen—but for now, crypto leaders like Teng are signaling readiness to capitalize on the shift.
