About this episode
The markets are rattled. Tariffs are rising. Investors are pulling back. In this week’s Bits + Bips, the panel digs into what’s really driving the selloff, why the Fed may be stuck, and how Trump’s tariff logic could trigger deeper economic shocks than anyone expects. Plus: Whether Bitcoin becomes a safe haven What makes this downturn different from 2022 and 2020 Why a potential recession still isn’t priced in Whether Congress can take the tariff button away from Trump And yes, Ram coins a new term: FAFO tariffs 😀 Sponsors: Bitwise Hosts: James Seyffart , Research Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence Alex Kruger , Founder of Asgard Ram Ahluwalia , CFA, CEO and Founder of Lumida Noelle Acheson , Author of the “Crypto Is Macro Now” Newsletter Links Tariffs: Recent coverage of Unchained on the economy and tariffs: Arthur Hayes on Why Tariffs Will Be Good for Bitcoin and Crypto Bits + Bips: Trump’s Tariffs Are Causing Mayhem, But Will They Revive U.S. Manufacturing? Trump Tariffs Sink Crypto, BlackRock Pumps Bitcoin’s Bags Why Trump-Induced Stagflation Could Finally Make Bitcoin a Safe Haven In Market Crash, What Should You Buy? Crypto VCs Are Making These Bets 10-year yield and the Fed CNBC: 10-year Treasury yield rises back above 4% despite tariff threat to growth Reuters: No Fed 'put' when it's unclear which way the economy may pivot 2008 Market Crash Federal Reserve: The Great Recession and Its Aftermath CNN: Bailout Plan Rejected - Supporters Scramble Can Congress Step In? Economist: How Donald Trump’s Tariffs Will Probably Fare in Court Politico: Trump Threatens Veto of Bill to Curb Tariff Power Timestamps: 👋 0:00 Intro 📉 3:30 Why this selloff feels nothing like 2022 or 2020 🪞 8:41 Why buying signals could be a mirage 🤔 11:28 Is the bear market already priced in? What investors are missing. 🏚️ 14:35 Could this turn into a fall “2008 scenario”? And what real buyers are doing now 🧮 25:57 Why Trump’s tariff math is wrong, and how it will create problems for the administration 📈 36:15 Why Trump wants the 10-year yield down, and why he’s failing 🛟 39:59 What counts as a safe haven right now, and is bitcoin one of them? 🏦 52:42 Can the Fed stand up to Trump’s pressure to cut rates? 🚫 57:56 Trump thinks that the trade deficit is a profit/loss statement. Why that’s a problem. ⚖️ 1:01:19 Can Congress pull Trump’s tariff authority? 💵 1:06:32 Can stablecoins save dollar demand? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices