Bitcoin Shows Its Mettle as Nasdaq Suffers Brutal Sell-Off
As U.S. equities took a beating following new tariff threats, bitcoin (BTC) stood out as a surprising pillar of stability in an otherwise chaotic market.
The Nasdaq Composite plunged 5.5% on Thursday — its worst single-day performance in years — shaken by President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff announcement. The drop ranks just outside the 20 most severe Nasdaq drawdowns since 2000, putting it in league with moments from the dot-com bust and the 2008 financial crisis. The S&P 500 wasn’t spared either, sliding nearly 5%.
But while traditional markets cracked, bitcoin held steady. After dipping immediately post-announcement, BTC rebounded 0.7% the following day and maintained momentum into Friday. Prices are now hovering above $84,000, a recovery from Thursday’s dip below $82,000, though still short of the pre-announcement $87,000 level.
This divergence is particularly striking given BTC’s usual correlation with risk assets. So far in 2025, bitcoin has declined 10%, while the Nasdaq is down 11% — a subtle but symbolic edge for crypto in a climate of fear.
Analyst Caleb Franzen pointed out BTC’s resilience compared to the broader market, noting on X, “Seeing BTC outperform the S&P 500 in a risk-off backdrop is remarkable. The BTC/SPY chart remains above its 200-day moving average cloud — a bullish signal in uncertain times.”
Investors are also watching Friday’s nonfarm payrolls data, with Nasdaq futures still in the red ahead of the release. But for now, bitcoin’s stability in the face of macro shocks is drawing attention — and maybe even respect — from a wider financial audience.
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