In April 2025, the U.S. government announced a 90-day exemption from tariffs on consumer electronics such as smartphones, laptops, and memory chips, offering short-term relief to tech companies and triggering a rally in stocks like Apple and Nvidia. However, this exemption is temporary, as new tariffs targeting semiconductors and related equipment are expected in the coming months, driven by national security concerns and the desire to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains, particularly from China. According to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, these measures are part of a broader strategy to safeguard U.S. technological interests. For the crypto industry, this policy shift presents both opportunities and risks: while the temporary relief may reduce hardware costs and benefit domestic mining operations, the forthcoming tariffs on chips could increase long-term operational expenses, potentially weakening the competitiveness of U.S. miners. Furthermore, the uncertainty surrounding trade policies may fuel volatility in crypto markets as investor sentiment reacts to shifting economic signals.
