Here’s what happened in crypto today

Today in crypto, the US SEC is considering a review of digital assets' security status and possible retroactive relief for token offerings. Despite crypto markets rebounding after the US President Donald Trump put a pause on tariffs, some analysts have suggested BTC could still face a correction below $90,000 following escalating US-China tensions.SEC is evaluating ‘retroactive relief’ for past coin offeringsThe US Securities and Exchange Commission is carving out a new path for the cryptocurrency sector, including evaluating the security status of crypto assets and potentially providing “retroactive relief” for certain token offerings. According to a Feb. 4 statement issued by SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, the White House’s newly announced Crypto Task Force will use its tools to provide better regulatory clarity for digital assets — something the commission was criticized for failing to do under ex-Chair Gary Gensler.The task force is “recommending Commission action to provide temporary prospective and retroactive relief for coin or token offerings” under certain conditions, including providing and updating specified information and agreeing “not to contest the Commission’s jurisdiction in the event of a case alleging fraud in connection with the purchase and sale of the asset,” Peirce said.Peirce also said the task force is reconsidering whether certain assets are securities.“The status of crypto assets under the securities laws is fundamental to resolving many other questions. The Task Force is working hard to examine different types of crypto assets,” she said.Bitcoin risks correction below $90,000 on US-China trade war concernsBitcoin risks a deeper correction as fears of a potential global trade war escalated following import tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump and China’s Ministry of Finance.The Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China announced new import tariffs of up to 15% on some US imports effective Feb. 10, according to official documents published on Feb. 4.China’s decision came in response to Trump’s Feb. 1 executive order imposing import tariffs on goods from China, Canada and Mexico.After a brief recovery, Bitcoin fell below the $100,000 mark on Feb. 4, pressured by growing fears of a potential trade war ignited by Trump’s tariffs.Despite finding its daily bottom and reversing from $96,200, Bitcoin’s price risks a correction below $90,000 on growing global trade and inflationary concerns.Ryan Lee, chief analyst at Bitget Research, said China’s tariff decision could introduce additional volatility to risk assets such as Bitcoin.“Escalating tensions may weaken traditional markets, prompting investors to seek Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation. However, a broader market sell-off driven by economic uncertainty could also trigger short-term corrections, potentially pushing Bitcoin below $90,000,” Lee told Cointelegraph.Crypto markets rebound as Trump puts Canada, Mexico tariffs on holdCrypto markets sharply rebounded after US President Donald Trump agreed to temporarily hold off on proposed tariffs aimed at Canada and Mexico as negotiations with the countries continue.In a Feb. 3 statement on X, Canadian Prime minster Justin Trudeau said that after a phone call with Trump, the 25% tariffs would be paused for at least 30 days and the two countries would work together. Mexico’s tariffs have also been paused for a month. Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum said in a Feb. 3 statement to X that the two leaders had “reached a series of agreements,” with a similar promise of reinforcing the land border shared between the two countries. Cryptocurrency prices had plummeted just a day earlier, on Feb. 3, after Trump announced potential tariffs on goods from China, Mexico and Canada. Some estimates suggested up to $10 billion of worth capital was liquidated from the markets. Following the string of announcements by world leaders, the crypto market has been steadily climbing. Bitcoin (BTC) has increased has crossed over the 100,000 threshold to $101,731, according to CoinMarketCap. CoinMarketCap shows Ether (ETH) has also performed better compared to Feb. 2. The second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap reached a low of $2,451, but it has since climbed back to $2,880.