Despite the mounting tariff pressures, global trade managed to hold its ground through 2025. But here's the catch—the real pain might just be getting started for businesses and everyday consumers heading into 2026.

We saw trade volumes remain surprisingly stable last year, even as protectionist measures tightened across major economies. Companies had time to adapt, inventory adjusted, and workarounds got creative. But those tariff hikes aren't going away—they're stacking up like blocks in a Jenga game.

What's coming next year could hit different. Cost pressures that were absorbed or passed downstream might finally break through. Consumer prices could follow. For crypto traders and macro-focused investors, this setup matters: inflation concerns, policy responses, and central bank moves will all cascade through digital assets. The seemingly stable 2025 backdrop could make 2026's volatility hit harder than expected.