Bitcoin Outlasting US Dollar Feels Real After Trump Tariffs

Key Points

• Bitcoin Outlasting US Dollar Feels Real After Trump Tariffs
• Top analysts say Bitcoin may now be the only viable option
• Trust in fiat currencies is declining, says Bitwise CEO
• Bitcoin’s position as “hard money” grows stronger

Bitcoin overtaking the US dollar isn’t just a bold idea anymore — it’s a possibility that financial analysts are starting to take seriously. On April 9, Jeff Parks, head of Alpha Strategies at Bitwise Invest, tweeted something that sent waves through the crypto world:

higher chance bitcoin survives over the dollar in our lifetime after today

first time the thought hit me and didn’t feel like theory but an actual truth to grapple with

— Jeff Park (@dgt10011) April 9, 2025

The trigger? Donald Trump’s aggressive new tariff policy. As of April 2, the former president signed an executive order imposing a 10% tariff on all imports, with extra tariffs targeting countries with major trade deficits with the US. These took full effect by April 9.

The ripple effects of this move go beyond politics — they’re shaking up global finance. Trust in the US dollar, already in decline, took another hit. Investors are increasingly wary of fiat currencies, especially when decisions like these threaten economic stability.

You’re a nation that doesn’t trust the U.S. right now.

You want to store value in something other than U.S. assets.

But you don’t want to own other nations’ currencies/debt/assets because they’re even weaker and you expect they’ll debase it.

So you could buy gold. But how…

— Hunter Horsley (@HHorsley) April 9, 2025

Hunter Horsley, CEO of Bitwise, echoed Parks’ concerns. With the dollar facing growing skepticism and foreign currencies seen as even weaker, investors may find themselves with limited safe-haven options. Gold has traditionally been a fallback, but its limitations — such as storage, transport, and verification — make it less appealing in today’s fast-moving digital economy.

That’s where Bitcoin enters the conversation, not as an alternative, but as the only remaining choice for some.

Today’s market reaction to tariffs is a reminder: inflation is just the tip of the iceberg. Capital faces dilution from taxes, regulation, competition, obsolescence, and unforeseen events. Bitcoin offers resilience in a world full of hidden risks.

— Michael Saylor (@saylor) April 4, 2025

Bitcoin, unlike fiat currencies, isn’t tied to political decisions or national trade strategies. It’s decentralized, borderless, and based on a fixed supply — characteristics that are increasingly attractive to investors seeking long-term protection from fiat currency risks.

Why Bitcoin is gaining ground as a “hard money” standard

The logic behind Bitcoin’s rising profile is rooted in the concept of “hard money.” Unlike fiat currencies like the US dollar, which governments can print at will, hard money refers to assets that retain value over time due to scarcity and security.

Bitcoin author Saifedean Ammous joined the conversation with a pointed comment:

This is very telling. He thinks China has more to lose from a trade war because they have a trade surplus, so they’d lose more money. He doesn’t see the US losing more goods as being as big a problem. This might make sense if imports were frivolous, but a lot are critical capital… https://t.co/shqXOqMNFM

— Saifedean Ammous (@saifedean) April 8, 2025

“America’s issue isn’t with one specific country’s deficit but with aggregate deficits worldwide due to having a fiat money printer.”

In other words, the US has been able to maintain its financial position globally by printing more dollars — something that can’t last forever. Ammous argues the solution is clear: stop printing money and return to a hard-money system based on assets like Bitcoin or gold.

“Stop using America’s shitcoin,” Ammous said bluntly, referring to the US dollar, “and give Trump the trade surpluses he thinks he wants.”

The argument is gaining traction as the US Dollar Index (DXY) continues to slide. As of now, it’s down 5.84% since the start of 2025, currently sitting at 102.193.

Bitcoin, on the other hand, is down 18.37% YTD but remains resilient amid wider market fears. Despite short-term price dips, long-term sentiment around Bitcoin is increasingly bullish — especially as global economic policies drive uncertainty.

In a world where fiat is manipulated and centralized, Bitcoin’s predictability is becoming a virtue. The idea that Bitcoin could outlast the US dollar isn’t just crypto dream talk anymore. It’s a scenario financial leaders are starting to accept as possible — even likely.

As countries push for protectionist trade policies and manipulate their currencies for short-term gains, the world is quietly but steadily looking for something better. Bitcoin, once seen as speculative tech, is now viewed by some as a foundational asset for the future economy.

And while critics may still call it volatile, its value proposition is becoming clearer by the day: a global, decentralized currency immune to political games.

Trump’s crypto history fuels growing investor conviction

Trump’s history with cryptocurrency has been a rollercoaster — and it’s adding more weight to the theory of Bitcoin outlasting the US dollar. His economic decisions, including tariffs and trade policies, have consistently shaken confidence in traditional financial systems.

Earlier, when Trump shocked the crypto world by pardoning BitMEX’s founders, many saw it as a signal that crypto might play a bigger role in his broader economic strategy. (Read more)

His position continues to evolve. With analysts drawing comparisons between today’s market activity and the 2017 Bitcoin boom, there’s speculation that Trump’s tariff war could mirror that explosive rally in unexpected ways. (Full story)

There’s also his interest in Bitcoin mining, which some interpret as a strategic move to keep the U.S. relevant in a crypto-dominated future. (Details here) And let’s not forget Trump’s odd alliance with El Salvador’s president Nayib Bukele, a vocal Bitcoin supporter, further blurring the lines between politics and digital assets. (Explore this connection)

This backdrop adds another layer to the ongoing shift. As the Department of Justice ramps up crypto investigations, investors are watching closely to see if regulation, or political support, will define the next phase of Bitcoin’s journey. (More on that here)

Whether Trump embraces Bitcoin directly or not, his unpredictable policies are unintentionally driving its relevance higher. Investors now find themselves turning to Bitcoin not as a rebellion — but as a necessary hedge in a world where fiat money feels increasingly fragile.