Bitcoin price news: BTC gains, but quickly retreats as Trump tariffs ruled illegal by Supreme Court

CoinDesk

by Krisztian Sandor

February 20, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Bitcoin prices surged immediately after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Trump's tariff regime but quickly retreated, reflecting a familiar pattern of volatility in crypto markets. The 6-3 court decision invalidated tariffs imposed under a rarely used statute, with justices emphasizing the lack of historical precedent and the overreach of presidential authority. Bitcoin jumped about 2% following the news, briefly rising above $68,000, but lost those gains within minutes, dropping back to just below $67,000. This rapid reversal highlights crypto's unpredictability, even in response to significant macroeconomic developments. The Supreme Court ruling overshadowed other economic data showing signs of stagflation in the U.S. The Commerce Department reported a 1.4% GDP growth in the final quarter of 2025, while core personal consumer expenditure prices rose 3% year-over-year—faster than expected and up from previous levels. This combination of slower growth and higher inflation has left markets uncertain about the Federal Reserve's next moves. Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B. Riley Wealth, noted that the "messy message" from the data aligns with the Fed's current cautious approach to monetary policy. The contrasting reactions in crypto and traditional markets underscore broader investor sentiment. While stocks, particularly the Nasdaq, showed signs of stability with a 0.6% rise, crypto markets continued their volatile behavior. This unpredictability raises questions about Bitcoin's role as a hedge against inflation or economic uncertainty. The short-lived gains following the Supreme Court decision suggest that crypto investors remain cautious and are likely

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Originally published on CoinDesk on 2/20/2026