Chart of the Week: Bitcoin Begins to Prove Its ‘Store of Value’ Role as Tariff Havoc Unfolds

Bitcoin Stepping Up as a Safe-Haven Amid Global Market Chaos

April has proven to be a month of significant turbulence in financial markets, driven by unpredictable shifts in trade policies, particularly concerning President Donald Trump’s tariff decisions, and growing uncertainty over the best asset classes to protect investments.

As traditional safe-haven assets like gold, the Swiss Franc, and U.S. Treasuries faltered under the weight of global economic volatility, one surprising asset emerged as a potential refuge for investors: bitcoin.

“Historically, the U.S. dollar, gold, and the Swiss Franc have been the go-to assets for risk-off periods. However, bitcoin is now increasingly being viewed in the same light,” noted NYDIG Research in a recent commentary.

Data from NYDIG highlighted that while gold and the Swiss Franc maintained their status as haven assets, it was after President Trump’s tariff hikes on April 2 that bitcoin started to attract significant attention as a store of value.

“Bitcoin has shifted away from its association with risk assets, such as leveraged U.S. equities, and has aligned more with its original purpose as a non-sovereign store of value,” NYDIG analysts said.

The growing trend of de-dollarization, coupled with the ‘sell America’ sentiment, has turned eyes toward bitcoin as a hedge against traditional financial systems.

“Although still in its early stages, bitcoin is starting to fulfill its original role as a store of value in times of uncertainty—potentially carving out a significant position among traditional safe-haven assets,” the report concluded.