Bitcoin Plunges Below $93K: Trump's Greenland Tariff Threats Spark $680M+ Liquidation Massacre Amid Trade War Fears
Bitcoin (BTC) has crashed below $93,000 and even dipped under $92K, erasing over $10,000 from its value in the past seven days and triggering more than $680 million in liquidations, primarily long positions. The culprit? President Donald Trump's bombshell threats of 10-25% tariffs on eight European nations—including Denmark—over stalled negotiations to purchase Greenland, igniting fresh geopolitical tensions and a global risk-off exodus. As crypto traders reel from the sudden selloff, whispers of 'buy the dip' emerge despite the chaos.
The drama unfolded rapidly over the weekend into Monday, January 20, 2026. Trump, echoing his first-term playbook, announced potential tariffs effective February 1 on key EU allies like Germany, France, and Sweden for blocking U.S. ambitions to acquire Greenland—a strategic Arctic territory rich in rare earth minerals. This 'Greenland Dump,' as traders dubbed it on X, caught markets off-guard during thin post-holiday liquidity, amplifying the downside. Crypto influencer Ash Crypto highlighted the stark weekly drop: 'Bitcoin is down -$10,000 in last 7 days. Thanks to Trump for another trade war.' Data shows $780M-$875M in total liquidations, with Bitcoin longs bearing the brunt as leveraged positions cascaded. Yet, this appears more macro-driven than crypto-specific: S&P 500 futures tumbled 1%, while gold surged to new all-time highs around $4,670 as investors fled to safe havens. Contrasting the panic, underlying fundamentals remain bullish. Spot Bitcoin ETFs saw steady inflows last week—BlackRock and Fidelity alone added hundreds of millions—signalizing institutional accumulation amid the noise. Analysts note this as a 'leverage reset,' not a trend reversal, with BTC finding support near $91,500-$92K (200-day EMA and recent lows).
The ripple effects were brutal across crypto. Ethereum plunged toward $3,200, altcoins bled 5-10%, and total market cap shed $200B+ in hours. High-leverage platforms like Binance saw the heaviest wipeouts, purging weak hands and overextended traders. Broader markets mirrored the fear: EU stocks wavered as leaders scrambled for retaliation, including a potential '$108B trade bazooka,' while the U.S. dollar strengthened. For traders, key levels now matter: BTC must reclaim $93.5K resistance for a rebound to $95K-$97K; a break below $90K could test $85K. Volatility spikes with Davos underway, where trade rhetoric could fuel more swings. Long-term, however, Bitcoin's 'digital gold' narrative faces tests—gold's ATH rally underscores crypto's risk-asset status in crises, but ETF buying suggests resilience.
Trump's Greenland tariff gambit has delivered short-term pain to Bitcoin, but history shows such macro shocks often precede explosive recoveries. With liquidations flushing excesses and whales accumulating, this dip below $93K screams opportunity for HODLers. Watch Davos headlines closely—de-escalation could rocket BTC back to $100K. In trade wars, stack sats wisely.