Crypto still follows traditional markets… where’s the alternative promised in 2008?

Bitcoin was born out of a financial crisis. Its whitepaper promised an alternative to the banking system, a currency independent of monetary policies and traditional markets. Yet, with every macroeconomic jolt, BTC reacts, and all the altcoins follow… exactly like a tech stock.

Latest example: Trump announces massive tariffs (20% on the EU, 34% on China), the S&P 500 drops 3%, and BTC immediately follows the trend. Decorrelation? Still looking…

You might think that Bitcoin, as a "safe-haven" asset, should have detached itself from traditional markets, especially in the face of a trade war that affects fiat currencies. But the reality is much more complex:

1. The crypto market is still dominated by institutional players arbitraging between BTC and traditional assets.
2. Liquidity: In times of stress, the big players sell their most liquid assets… BTC at the top of the list.
3. The refuge narrative vs the reality of use cases: Bitcoin might be digital gold on paper, but on the markets, it's still seen as a speculative asset.

I wonder how to navigate this kind of storm?

Some solutions are emerging to make BTC more profitable rather than just enduring the volatility. With the rise of liquid staking on Bitcoin (WBTC, BTCB, etc.), the question arises: can DeFi on BTC be a real alternative during extreme volatility or a bear market?

Recent projects like Babylone have tried to make Bitcoin more productive on the blockchain (staking, yield, collateral in DeFi). Others, like the PumpBTC protocol, even have the backing of a serious exchange like Bitget. But is this really a long-term viable solution, or just an opportunistic response to volatility?

In short: Is DeFi on BTC a true safe haven, or just another illusion in an already chaotic market? Is decentralization promised by blockchain and crypto still relevant today?

Curious to hear your thoughts!