#TradeStories Trade Deals & Trade Wars: The Regional Impact Since President Trump proclaimed “Liberation Day” on 2 April, uncertainty over US tariffs has continued to weigh on the global and national economy. What are the implications for UK regions and sectors? Our Deputy Director Prof Adrian Pabst spoke with Dr Eliza da Silva Gomes about the sectoral and regional exposure to US tariffs.
In a notable shift in global trade dynamics, the United States and China have agreed to a temporary truce in their long-standing tariff war. After years of tit-for-tat trade barriers, both nations reached a consensus during talks in Geneva to significantly lower tariffs and reopen paths for negotiation.
Effective immediately, the U.S. will reduce tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, while China will cut duties on American imports from 125% to 10%. This agreement marks the first major de-escalation since tensions escalated in the late 2010s over issues,including intellectual property rights, trade imbalances, and national security concerns.
The move has been welcomed by markets and international observers alike. Global stocks surged following the announcement, with major indices in the U.S., Europe, and Asia posting gains. Economists suggest this 90-day cooling-off period could pave the way for more permanent reforms if both sides continue to engage constructively.
While some remain cautious about the long-term resolution, this agreement is seen as a strategic win for diplomacy and global economic stability. Leaders from both countries emphasized a shared interest in avoiding a full-scale decoupling and reaffirmed their commitment to further dialogue.
As the world watches, the next three months will be critical. If successful, this truce could be a turning point in one of the most consequential economic disputes of the modern era.
$ETH Ethereum is a network of many communities and a collection of tools that allow people to transact and communicate without governance by a single entity. Users retain control over their data and the information that is shared. Ethereum’s native token, ether, is used for transactions in certain activities on the network.
Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, has officially crossed the \$2,500 mark, signaling renewed momentum in the altcoin space. This milestone comes amid growing interest in decentralized finance (DeFi), Ethereum-based layer 2 scaling solutions, and the broader recovery of the crypto market.
Analysts point to increased institutional interest, a rebound in developer activity, and growing anticipation around Ethereum's upcoming upgrades as key drivers of this surge. The price movement also reinforces investor optimism that altseason may be on the horizon.
As Ethereum continues its upward trend, traders and long-term holders alike are watching closely for the next resistance levels—potentially setting the stage for ETH to retest its all-time highs.
As Bitcoin continues to consolidate near its recent highs, traders and investors are turning their attention to altcoins — a signal that altcoin season might be just around the corner. Often referred to as “altseason,” this phase occurs when alternative cryptocurrencies outperform Bitcoin, capturing market attention with massive price swings and fresh narratives.
Key indicators, like the Altcoin Season Index and increased trading volume in coins like Ethereum, Solana, and emerging Layer 2 tokens, suggest growing momentum. DeFi platforms, meme coins, and AI-focused tokens are also showing signs of life, fueled by investor speculation and growing use cases.
However, while excitement builds, volatility remains high. Timing altseason can be tricky, and it often coincides with shifts in Bitcoin dominance. As always, proper risk management and research are crucial.
With sentiment rising and capital starting to rotate, #AltcoinSeasonLoading may not just be a hashtag — it could be the next big crypto trend.
$XRP is a highly efficient cryptocurrency built on the XRP Ledger, a decentralised blockchain designed to facilitate fast, affordable transactions across borders. Its primary use case is in bridging currencies for global payments, with additional applications in decentralised finance, tokenisation, and everyday transactions. Created by McCaleb, Britto, and Schwartz in 2012, XRP’s ecosystem continues to evolve, driven by a global community of developers and validators.
$BTC Bitcoin's Price Surge to $104K Liquidates Nearly $400M in Bearish BTC Bets, Opening Doors to Further Gains The rally followed a U.K. trade deal announcement and record ETF inflows exceeding $40 billion.
What to know: Bitcoin's price surged over 3% to $102,500, triggering $400 million in short position liquidations. The rally followed a U.K. trade deal announcement and record ETF inflows exceeding $40 billion.
After a volatile stretch marked by regulatory crackdowns and market skepticism, the cryptocurrency market is staging a powerful resurgence in 2025. Major coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum have rallied, with Bitcoin breaking past the \$70,000 mark once again, driven by institutional interest, renewed investor confidence, and advancements in blockchain utility.
The comeback is also fueled by improved global regulation, clearer tax frameworks, and the growing adoption of decentralized finance (DeFi) and tokenized assets. AI integration in crypto trading and enhanced scalability solutions are further legitimizing the space.
With sentiment shifting from caution to cautious optimism, the hashtag #CryptoComeback is trending across financial circles, signaling a potential new chapter for digital currencies.
Bitcoin enthusiasts are once again rallying behind the cry #BTCBackTo100K as market optimism rises. After a period of consolidation and volatility, signs suggest that Bitcoin could be gearing up for a powerful upward move. Factors driving this sentiment include increasing institutional adoption, the recent Bitcoin halving, and growing concerns about inflation pushing investors toward decentralized assets.
The psychological barrier of $100,000 has long been a symbolic target for Bitcoin holders. As macroeconomic conditions evolve and mainstream acceptance grows, many believe it's not a question of "if," but when While price predictions should always be met with caution, the momentum behind #BTCBackTo100K reflects more than just hype—it's a vision of the future for digital assets.
$USDC Gold price drops to multi-day low, around $3,320 area amid notable USD buying Gold price attracts heavy intraday selling and turns lower for the second successive day. The Fed’s hawkish pause underpins the USD and weighs on the non-yielding commodity. A positive risk tone also exerts pressure on the XAU/USD pair ahead of Trump's presser.
$BTC Price Hits $100,000 for First Time Since February The milestone comes as President Trump teased a "major trade deal" and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent prepared for talks with China.Bitcoin has reclaimed the $100,000 price level for the first time since February amid upcoming US-China trade talks and a potential UK trade deal. Standard Chartered analyst Geoff Kendrick believes Bitcoin will reach $120,000 by the end of Q2, potentially influenced by Federal Reserve interest rate decisions. Institutional investment continues to grow with positive ETF inflows of $142 million on Wednesday, as global institutions increasingly view Bitcoin as a way to diversify from USD assets.
Stripe has introduced stablecoin-powered financial accounts in more than 100 countries, enabling businesses to accept and manage stablecoin payments directly within their Stripe dashboards. This move follows Stripe's \$1.1 billion acquisition of the stablecoin infrastructure startup Bridge, finalized in February 2025. The integration allows businesses to settle transactions in stablecoins like $USDC, facilitating faster and more cost-effective cross-border payments. Stripe's platform is now equipped to handle stablecoin transactions, offering features such as real-time settlement and reduced transaction fees. This development positions Stripe as a significant player in the growing stablecoin market, providing merchants with enhanced tools to navigate the evolving digital payment landscape.
#BTCBreaks99K #BTCBreak99K: Bitcoin Surges Past \$99,000
Bitcoin has officially broken the \$99,000 barrier, marking a major milestone in the ongoing bull run and sending ripples across the global financial landscape. The #BTCBreak99K trend has taken over social media as investors, traders, and crypto enthusiasts celebrate the surge.
Analysts attribute the spike to increased institutional investment, upcoming halving effects, and growing mainstream adoption. With market sentiment overwhelmingly bullish, many now speculate when—not if—Bitcoin will cross the \$100K mark. As volatility remains high, traders are advised to stay cautious amid the euphoria.
Ethereum $ETH was not spared either, with liquidations totaling $37.35 million. $SOL and $XRP followed, with $9.23 million and $6.23 million, respectively. While these figures are not out of the ordinary on their own, leaning toward long liquidations across nearly every major token paints a clear picture: the market was overly bullish, and bulls got caught in a trap.
In the last 24 hours, $BTC traders faced $81.94 million in total liquidations, with $73.55 million of it coming from long positions. Shorts? Just $8.39 million. That is a 9-to-1 imbalance — a 900% spike favoring one side — welcome to one of Bitcoin's most extreme lopsided liquidation events in recent times.
Read more on U.Today https://u.today/bitcoin-sees-900-liquidation-imbalance-in-24-hour-bloodbath