Key Highlights
- The U.S. Supreme Court blocked Trump’s tariffs because he did not have authority under IEEPA.
- The market reacted to the news, with Bitcoin jumping above $67,000 after the ruling.
- The court did not decide on refunds, leaving up to $150 billion in tariff money uncertain.
Bitcoin (BTC) saw a spike today during early trading hours after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, stating that the president did not have authority to impose them under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
The ruling came on February 20, 2026, with a 6-3 vote to overturn the tariffs. Trump had first put these tariffs in place in April last year, a day he called “liberation day.” Shortly after the decision, Bitcoin surged above $67,000, reaching as high as $67,600.
Supreme Court rules on tariffs
The Supreme Court ruled that the law does not give a president the right to impose tariffs during peacetime. The decision could affect trade, government money from tariffs, and how investors feel about the market.
However, the court did not say if the U.S. must give back the money collected from the tariffs, which leaves uncertainty over the potential repayment of up to $150 billion. Many crypto traders are already betting that refunds might happen, with a 29% chance on the Polymarket prediction market.
Trump called the ruling a “disgrace” but stated he has a backup plan. The administration has at least five ways it could try to bring the tariffs back, but these options are stricter and do not allow a full return of the original tariffs.
Bitcoin’s market reaction
Investors responded quickly to the headline as they put funds into Bitcoin. Currently, BTC is trading for $67,149, up a modest 0.95% from an intraday low of $66K.
Bitcoin’s fall to $66K happened after the U.S. released December inflation numbers. The Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) data showed 2.9% growth compared to last year. This is slightly higher than expected.
VanEck Chief Matthew Sigel said in a post on X that the ruling could provide bullish momentum for Bitcoin and even the entire market, because without tariff money, printing of dollars could happen. Investors may turn to Bitcoin or gold as a safe way to protect their money from inflation.
What this means for the market
Trump’s tariffs were designed to add extra charges on imports to balance trade and support U.S. businesses. While the Supreme Court’s decision overturns these tariffs, the uncertainty around refunds, combined with potential future actions, keeps markets alert.
Right now, investors are both confident and cautious as they await what happens next. Some see opportunities in Bitcoin and other assets as a way to protect their money, while others worry about trade changes and government decisions. Meanwhile, this ruling shows limits on presidential power and could affect future trade policies.
Also Read: Missouri Advances Bill to Create State-Managed Bitcoin Reserve
