Ethereum Popularity Soars As Chances Of 100% Tariffs On China By Nov. 1 Drop To 11%

• Polymarket odds of 100% U.S.-China tariffs by Nov. 1 plunge from 40% to 11%, triggering renewed optimism across global markets.
• Ethereum surges 8% to $4,111, reclaiming key resistance as traders regain confidence amid easing trade tensions and reduced liquidation risks.
• Ethereum tops 2025 developer inflows and attracts $5.9B via spot ETFs, reinforcing its dominance in DeFi, NFTs, and Web3 innovation.

The specter of escalating U.S.-China trade tensions appears to be fading, sparking a bullish rebound in cryptocurrencies. Polymarket, the decentralized prediction platform, now pegs the odds of the United States imposing 100% tariffs on Chinese imports by November 1 at just 11%, a sharp plunge from 40% earlier in October.

Polymarket Data Signals a Pivot

This shift has injected fresh optimism into risk assets, with Ethereum emerging as a standout beneficiary. As of October 17, 2025, ETH surged 8% to $4,111, reclaiming key resistance levels after a harrowing dip triggered by tariff fears.

The saga began on October 10 when President Donald Trump announced plans for sweeping 100% tariffs on Chinese goods, citing unfair trade practices and national security concerns. The rhetoric ignited immediate panic: Bitcoin tumbled nearly 15% to $101,000, while Ethereum cratered 13% to $3,749. Over $19 billion in crypto positions were liquidated in a single day, the largest wipeout since the 2022 bear market.

ADVERTISEMENTDerivatives markets for ETH shrank by 45%, with open interest evaporating from $33 billion to $18 billion as leveraged traders fled. Broader sentiment cratered to a six-month low, dragging altcoins like Solana and Dogecoin into the abyss.

Traders’ collective wisdom, reflected in the market’s resolution criteria tied to official Trump administration announcements, suggests legislative hurdles and diplomatic backchannels are stalling the policy

China’s measured response, urging cooperation over confrontation, further eased fears of retaliatory measures that could disrupt global supply chains.

ADVERTISEMENT## Ethereum Popularity Among Developers Surges

Ethereum’s resurgence isn’t just price-driven; it’s a story of ecosystem dominance. Amid the volatility, ETH has solidified as the top blockchain for new developers in 2025, outpacing rivals like Solana and Binance Smart Chain in developer inflows.

Electric Capital’s latest report highlights a 25% year-over-year spike in active Ethereum builders, fueled by upgrades like Dencun that slashed layer-2 fees and boosted scalability

Spot ETH ETFs, approved earlier this year, have funneled a record $5.9 billion in inflows, underscoring institutional faith. Unlike Bitcoin‘s store-of-value narrative, Ethereum’s utility in DeFi and NFTs positions it as a hedge against fiat uncertainty—especially when trade wars threaten traditional markets.

Wall Street echoed the relief, with the S&P 500 clawing back 2% losses. Analysts now eye a V-shaped recovery for crypto, with Ethereum potentially testing $4,500 by month-end if tariff odds stay subdued.

This tariff reprieve signals crypto’s maturation: no longer isolated from macro events, but resilient in the face of them

For Ethereum, it’s a golden window to cement its lead in Web3 innovation, drawing builders and capital alike. As geopolitical dust settles, the question lingers: Will this de-escalation unleash the next bull leg, or is more chop ahead?

ADVERTISEMENT