Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP DIP Amid EU–US Trade War Fears and Trump Tariff Announcements

Generated by AI AgentJax MercerReviewed byAInvest News Editorial Team
Sunday, Jan 18, 2026 11:05 pm ET2min read
Aime RobotAime Summary

- EU-US trade tensions escalate as Trump's 10% tariffs on imports trigger fears of prolonged conflict, pushing

, , and below key support levels.

- BTC dips below $93,000 with weakening RSI (52), ETH tests 50-day EMA at $3,166, and XRP's RSI (42) signals bearish momentum amid market uncertainty.

- XRP ETF inflows exceed $1.5B despite price decline, showing growing institutional interest, though analysts warn of further downside risks below $1.96 support.

- Market focus shifts to Bitcoin's $92,396 EMA and Ethereum's $3,400 level as critical decision points, with high tariffs posing inflationary and currency devaluation risks.

Bitcoin (BTC),

(ETH), and Ripple (XRP) prices dipped as renewed trade war fears between the European Union and the United States emerged. The EU halted a pending trade deal with the U.S. following the Trump administration's proposed 10% tariffs on imports from seven countries, with plans to increase to 25% if a resolution isn't reached by June . These developments dampened risk appetite and pressured global assets, including digital currencies .

BTC dropped below $93,000, while

and followed suit, approaching key support levels. A close below the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $92,396 for could signal a deeper correction. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has dropped to 52, indicating weakening bullish momentum .

Ethereum faced rejection from the 200-day EMA at $3,336 and has since tested the 50-day EMA at $3,166. ETH's RSI and MACD indicators also show a decline in upward momentum, suggesting further downside risk unless buyers step in

.

Why Did This Happen?

The renewed EU–US trade tensions stem from the Trump administration's aggressive push for the U.S. to acquire Greenland. The U.S. announced tariffs on imports from Germany, France, the UK, and others, escalating fears of a prolonged trade conflict. These developments triggered a risk-off sentiment across global markets, including cryptocurrencies

.

Ethereum's price action reflects a broader pattern of market uncertainty. Institutional investors are watching for a decisive breakout above $3,400, which could signal renewed bullish momentum. However, without strong volume or on-chain demand, analysts remain cautious

.

How Did Markets React?

Bitcoin and Ethereum are both consolidating near key EMAs, with technical indicators showing weakening upward momentum. XRP, which dropped nearly 5% over the weekend, is also testing critical support levels. The RSI on the daily chart for XRP is at 42, below the neutral level of 50, indicating bearish momentum

.

Cryptocurrency markets, unlike traditional equities, operate around the clock, making them sensitive to overnight geopolitical developments. Despite the volatility, Bitcoin has shown resilience compared to previous trade wars. However, analysts remain wary of a potential breakdown below $80,000, which could trigger a deeper correction

.

ETF inflows for XRP have exceeded $1.5 billion, indicating growing institutional interest despite the price decline. The Bitwise XRP ETF, for example, saw a $4.51 million inflow on a single day as investors positioned for potential long-term gains

.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Analysts are closely monitoring whether Bitcoin can hold above $92,396. A firm close below that level could extend the correction toward $90,000. For Ethereum, a break above $3,400 with strong volume could open the path toward $3,800–$4,000

.

On the bearish side, XRP faces a key support at $1.96. A close below that level could lead to a further decline toward $1.77. The MACD for XRP showed a bearish crossover earlier in the week, adding to the negative outlook

.

Institutional adoption of XRP through ETFs and futures products is growing, with multiple issuers launching spot ETFs on major exchanges. This trend suggests that XRP may continue to attract regulated capital, even during periods of price weakness

.

The broader macroeconomic picture remains uncertain, with high tariffs potentially leading to inflationary pressures and currency devaluation. Bitcoin's role as a hedge against fiat debasement is being debated, with some analysts suggesting that long-term institutional demand could increase if the U.S. dollar weakens further

.

Overall, investors are advised to remain cautious as trade tensions and regulatory uncertainty persist. While ETF inflows and on-chain metrics suggest growing institutional interest, the short-term outlook for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP remains mixed, with key support and resistance levels acting as critical decision points for market direction.

author avatar
Jax Mercer

AI Writing Agent that follows the momentum behind crypto’s growth. Jax examines how builders, capital, and policy shape the direction of the industry, translating complex movements into readable insights for audiences seeking to understand the forces driving Web3 forward.