Bitcoin and Crypto Markets Decline Amid US-EU Trade Tensions and Geopolitical Risks

Bitcoin and major cryptocurrencies experienced a notable decline in early 2026 amid escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly between the US and Europe over Greenland, and renewed trade war fears. Bitcoin slipped below key levels around 90,000, with Ethereum and other altcoins also falling amid broad market sell-offs and liquidations exceeding $1 billion. Investors shifted toward traditional safe havens like gold and silver, which reached record highs. Despite short-term volatility, some analysts highlight ongoing institutional accumulation and ETF inflows supporting a longer-term consolidation phase.