Trump Escalates Tariff Threats Against BRICS-Aligned Nations
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a significant escalation in trade policy, threatening an additional 10% tariff on countries perceived as aligning with the “anti-American policies of BRICS.” This move, coming without specific policy elaborations, coincides with the BRICS group's ongoing meeting and has intensified global trade tensions.
- Unspecified "Anti-American" Alignment: President Trump stated via Truth Social that "Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy." The precise criteria for such alignment remain undefined, sparking uncertainty among trading partners.
- BRICS Bloc's Response: In a joint statement, BRICS leaders implicitly rebuked Trump's stance, warning against “unjustified unilateral protectionist measures, including the indiscriminate increase of reciprocal tariffs,” and voiced "serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures."
- Impending Tariff Deadlines: This threat exacerbates existing tariff concerns, as new country-specific tariff rate letters are scheduled to begin delivery on Monday. Tariffs previously announced in April are set to take effect on August 1, extended from a prior July 9 deadline, following a 90-day pause that expires this Wednesday.
This assertive stance by the U.S. President appears to be a direct response to the BRICS bloc's stated ambitions to challenge the U.S.-led world order in finance and global governance, as well as to supplant the U.S. dollar’s global role. China, a key BRICS member, has already voiced opposition, stating that it "opposed any action of using tariffs as a tool to coerce others" and that "arbitrarily slapping tariffs does not serve the interests of any party."
This proliferation of trade-restrictive actions threatens to disrupt the global economy and could exacerbate existing economic disparities, creating significant uncertainty for international trade and financial markets. For cryptocurrencies, such heightened geopolitical and economic instability often creates a complex environment. At the same time, some investors may seek digital assets as a hedge against traditional system volatility, while others might view them as risk assets, leading to potential price fluctuations as market participants react to the shifting global landscape.
Marathon Digital CEO Fred Thiel Warns of Bitcoin Treasury Saturation Amidst Bullish Forecast
Fred Thiel, CEO of Marathon Digital Holdings, has recently issued a notable warning concerning the evolving landscape of corporate Bitcoin accumulation, suggesting that some treasury companies are approaching saturation in their Bitcoin allocations. This perspective offers a nuanced view of the market, combining a near-term caution about corporate treasury limits with a strong long-term bullish forecast for the leading cryptocurrency.
- Saturation Warning for Corporate Treasuries: Thiel indicates that while there has been "huge interest in Bitcoin" from institutions, companies that have already made significant allocations to Bitcoin for their treasuries may be reaching a point of saturation. This implies that the rapid pace of corporate balance sheet additions seen previously might moderate as firms hit their self-imposed allocation limits or strategic reserve targets.
- Persistent Bullish Outlook and Key Drivers: Despite the saturation warning for specific corporate treasuries, Thiel maintains a robust long-term optimistic forecast for Bitcoin, reiterating previous predictions for Bitcoin to reach $200,000 by 2025. He attributes this growth to continued institutional adoption, the increasing interest in Bitcoin as a strategic reserve, and the impressive performance of Bitcoin ETFs, which have, in some instances, already surpassed gold ETFs in asset gathering.
Thiel's insights highlight a critical juncture for corporate Bitcoin strategies, suggesting a potential shift from aggressive initial accumulation to a more measured approach by existing holders. His forecast underscores the enduring drivers of Bitcoin's value, including its finite supply and growing recognition as an alternative asset, even as the Bitcoin mining industry faces new challenges, such as heightened competition for energy resources from the burgeoning artificial intelligence sector. For retail investors, Thiel consistently advises regular, long-term Bitcoin investments, emphasizing its historical growth and potential as a long-term store of value.
BTC Technical Analysis
Bitcoin traded sideways throughout the week, ranging between $107,400 and $110,400, showing signs of indecision ahead of potential macro catalysts. After a strong rally at the beginning of July, price action failed to sustain above the $110,400 resistance zone, with multiple rejection wicks seen in that area.
As of July 8, BTC is consolidating just below the 20 EMA (currently at $108,429) while holding above the 50 EMA ($108,045), showing short-term weakness but mid-term support stability. A clean break above the $108.500 region could bring a retest of the $110.000–$110.400 resistance, which has acted as a strong supply zone.
On the downside, $107,400–$107,800 remains the key support zone. A breakdown below this level could open up a move toward the EMA 200 at $106,300, a critical dynamic support level.
The Bitcoin ETF net flow chart from July 2 to July 7, 2025, continued to reflect strong institutional interest, with significant inflows of $407.8 million on July 2, $601.8 million on July 3, and $51.9 million on July 7. This steady capital injection has played a key role in supporting Bitcoin’s price resilience and sets the stage for potential upside in the near term.
ETH Technical Analysis
Ethereum traded between $2,485 and $2,620 over the past week, displaying a period of consolidation following a sharp rally earlier in July. Price action held above the 200 EMA at $2,486, indicating sustained support from buyers at lower levels. However, momentum has started to cool off near the $2,580–$2,600 resistance range, where several rejection wicks have formed.
Currently, ETH is fluctuating around the 20 EMA ($2,540) and 50 EMA ($2,517), reflecting indecision as bulls and bears battle for control. A clean move above $2,580 could open the path toward $2,660, while a breakdown below the 200 EMA may drag price back toward the prior demand zone at $2,440. Overall, Ethereum remains in a neutral-to-bullish posture, but a clear breakout or breakdown will be needed to confirm the next major move.
The Ethereum ETF net flows from July 2 to July 7, 2025, reflected mixed institutional sentiment. After a minor net outflow of $1.9 million on July 2, investor confidence rebounded sharply with a substantial inflow of $148.5 million on July 3, followed by a moderate inflow of $8.9 million on July 7. This rebound from early-week weakness signals a renewed, though cautious, interest in Ethereum exposure. The strong spike on July 3 suggests that institutional appetite for ETH remains responsive to market conditions and may continue to support price stability in the near term.
SOL Technical Analysis
Solana traded between $145.20 and $156.80, showing indecisive behavior over the past week. Despite briefly pushing above the 20 and 50 EMA levels, bullish momentum was short-lived, with price facing heavy rejection near $156.80, a key resistance zone.
Currently, SOL is hovering around the $149.00 mark and sitting just below the cluster of short-term EMAs (20/50/100), indicating weakening bullish structure. A breakdown below this level could expose the price to the $145.00–$146.00 support range. The lack of strong directional follow-through signals indecision, with traders likely waiting on Bitcoin’s movement or macro risk triggers.
The latest data shows that DEX trading volume has decreased compared to its peak in late 2024. Although still higher than 2023 levels, the recent downtrend suggests cooling market activity and reduced trading momentum in the decentralized space.
%201.png){kind=logo}
