VIX Index Reaches Highest Level Since October 2020 Amid China Tariffs

The VIX index, indicating 30-day volatility in the equity market, rose to 39, its highest level since October 2020, following China's imposition of retaliatory tariffs on the U.S.

U.S. stock-index futures experienced a sharp sell-off.
Traders increased estimates for Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts to 116 basis points from 100.
Bitcoin (BTC) fell 0.7% to $82,500 after reaching over $84,600 earlier in the day.
Bitcoin's 30-day implied volatility rose to an annualized 54.6%, the highest in two weeks.