Financial markets are accustomed to volatility, but this week’s sudden pivot from the White House sent an unmistakable jolt through both traditional finance and digital assets. President Donald Trump’s shift in tone on trade with China — from confrontation to conciliation — stunned analysts and traders alike, sparking a sharp rally across equities and cryptocurrencies.
Among the biggest movers was XRP, whose rapid rebound became a focal point for retail traders and commentators.
A Sudden Policy Pivot
The spark came when President Trump, after announcing 100% tariffs on Chinese imports earlier in October, appeared to temper his rhetoric. Speaking on Friday, he signaled a willingness to “work things out” with Beijing — a dramatic change from the previous escalation language.
By Monday’s open, U.S. markets had reversed course: the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged more than 430 points in early trading, while the Nasdaq climbed over 400.
President Trump Shocks Crypto! Shocks XRP Holders!
He Is Changing Direction!
Wow! pic.twitter.com/mkBXeDGpQv
— Austin Hilton (@austinahilton) October 13, 2025
According to financial outlets including Reuters and Bloomberg, the rebound reflected traders’ relief that a full-blown trade war might be avoided. The broader crypto market responded in kind, with the total market capitalization rising nearly 4% to about $3.9 trillion.
Austin Hilton’s Take on the Market Reaction
Popular crypto commentator Austin Hilton captured the moment in a video shared on X, describing it as “a significant change of events.” Hilton highlighted XRP’s sharp intraday movement, noting that the token was up nearly 9% as of his recording. “Trump changes direction — quite frankly shocks everybody,” he remarked, tying the rally directly to the president’s softened tone on China.
Hilton’s clip quickly spread across social media, encapsulating what many traders were feeling: a mix of surprise, relief, and renewed confidence in crypto markets’ resilience to macro turbulence. His commentary also emphasized how quickly XRP rebounded after dipping, a move he described as a “buy-the-dip opportunity” amid the market’s rapid turnaround.
Verifying the Price Action
While Hilton’s on-screen chart showed XRP wicking briefly to around $1.25 before bouncing back, verified exchange data presents a slightly different picture. Market aggregates from CoinMarketCap and Binance recorded XRP’s lowest prints near $1.69, with a swift recovery to between $2.3 and $2.8 during the same session.
That level of intraday volatility is still notable but not as extreme as initially portrayed in some retail feeds.
This discrepancy underscores an important lesson: in fast-moving markets, individual trading dashboards can display temporary price spikes or feed errors that differ from official aggregated data. Cross-checking multiple exchange sources remains the best way to separate signal from noise.
Why This Matters for XRP Holders
The episode reinforces how tightly crypto markets are linked to global macro narratives. From Federal Reserve decisions to trade policy shifts, digital assets like XRP react swiftly to changes in investor sentiment. Trump’s more measured stance reduced immediate risk aversion, encouraging capital to flow back into speculative sectors — crypto included.
For XRP holders, the takeaway is clear: politics can move markets, but disciplined analysis should guide trading decisions. Austin Hilton’s coverage captured the raw emotion of the moment, while verified market data paints the full picture of measured yet meaningful price action.
Trump’s shift didn’t just steady Wall Street — it reignited optimism across the digital asset landscape, reminding traders that even one presidential statement can send shockwaves through the crypto economy.
This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent the opinion of the publication. Readers are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk.