Bitcoin Soars Past $86K as Investors Brush Off U.S. Tariff Fears—Is the Market Being Manipulated?

The cryptocurrency market is on fire, with Bitcoin surging past $86,000 despite looming U.S. tariffs and critical economic data releases later this week—sparking fresh speculation about market manipulation and insider trading.

As of 7 AM on March 24,Bitcoin gained 3.2%, hitting $86,590, while Ethereum rose 2.3% to trade at $2,047. The global crypto market cap skyrocketed to $2.84 trillion, posting a 2.94% increase in just 24 hours.

Other major altcoins, including XRP, Cardano, and Dogecoin, recorded strong gains, while Solana (SOL) exploded by 7%, surpassing $139.

Is This Rally Genuine or Just Smart Money at Play?

Bitcoin’s market dominance jumped to 60.73%, with its 24-hour trading volume soaring by 93% to a staggering $18.2 billion raising eyebrows among analysts who suspect institutional players might be driving the rally behind closed doors.

Crypto insiders, including Vikram Subburaj, CEO of Giottus, have pointed to $86,700 as the key resistance level, warning that a breakout could send Bitcoin soaring to $90,000 in no time.

Trump Tariff Rumors: The Hidden Catalyst?

Fueling the rally are reports that Trump’s April 2 tariffs may be far less aggressive than initially feared, with country exemptions and non-cumulative charges on metals possibly softening the economic blow.

Critics argue that market whales may have exploited insider knowledge of these softened tariff plans to pump Bitcoin and altcoins before the broader public caught on.

With crypto volatility at an all-time high, are we witnessing an organic rally or a well-coordinated market play?