Crypto Lags Behind Roaring Stock Market; BTC Falls Back to $78K

Stocks Bounce Back as Bitcoin Slips to $78K, Defying Risk Rally

As equity markets mount an impressive rebound from last week’s tariff-driven downturn, Bitcoin (BTC) is once again bucking the trend — but not in bulls’ favor.

While the Nasdaq surges 3% and the S&P 500 follows close behind, Bitcoin has dropped back to $78,000, erasing earlier gains that briefly lifted it above $80,000. The move places BTC uncomfortably close to the weekend low near $75,000, set amid widespread fear of broader market contagion.

Global sentiment is clearly improving. President Trump’s social media tease of progress with South Korea and Treasury Secretary Bessent’s comments on stabilizing China negotiations helped spark optimism. Overseas, Japan’s Nikkei gained 6%, and European markets climbed 3%, showing risk appetite is returning — just not to crypto.

Despite this apparent divergence, the short-term correlation hasn’t completely broken down. Since last Wednesday’s surprise tariff announcements, Bitcoin and the Nasdaq are both down roughly 8–9%. However, over a longer horizon, Bitcoin is still in the green: up 14% since the November election, while major indexes remain underwater.

Still, the inability of BTC to participate in Tuesday’s broad-based rally may signal investor hesitation, as macro uncertainty and rate volatility continue to cloud crypto’s near-term outlook.

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