Former U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed a novel approach to funding a new economic stimulus package, suggesting that revenue generated from import tariffs could provide direct payments to Americans. This bold initiative, coupled with the ongoing uncertainty of a government shutdown, is capturing significant attention from market analysts, who anticipate potential ripple effects, particularly within the cryptocurrency sector.
A New Stimulus Plan Funded by Tariffs
President Trump revealed his consideration of distributing up to $2,000 in stimulus checks to individuals, financed by the burgeoning income from import tariffs. He projected that these tariffs, while currently "just starting to come in," could eventually generate over a trillion dollars annually, with a portion also earmarked for reducing the nation's $37 trillion federal debt. The proposed "dividend" plan, which would require Congressional approval, aims to deliver between $1,000 and $2,000 per person. According to Treasury Department data, the U.S. has already collected approximately $214 billion in tariff revenues in 2025, underscoring the significant financial potential Trump envisions for this funding mechanism.
Potential Catalyst for Crypto Markets
This prospective stimulus package, alongside the current government shutdown creating economic instability, is widely viewed as a potential catalyst for increased liquidity in the cryptocurrency market. Analysts at Bitfinex drew parallels to the 2020 COVID-19 stimulus, where a substantial injection of funds into both traditional and digital markets contributed to Bitcoin's explosive rally. During that period, Bitcoin surged over 1,050%, climbing from around $6,000 in March 2020 to $69,000 by November 2021. This historical precedent suggests that new stimulus checks could once again encourage retail investors to inject fresh capital into crypto, thereby influencing market dynamics. The ongoing government shutdown further compounds this outlook, adding an additional layer of uncertainty that often sees investors explore alternative assets.
