Crypto Cold War? Trump Says US Is Beating China In Digital Assets

United States President Donald Trump has painted a picture of the United States pulling ahead of China in the battle for crypto dominance. He made the claim in a recent social media post, asserting that the US dominating China in the crypto race. At the same time, both nations have dialed back the steep tariffs they piled on each other just weeks ago.

Trade Tensions Ease

According to official trade data, the United States slapped a 145% levy on certain Chinese imports in early April 2025. China hit back with a 125% tariff on US goods. Those rates have now fallen—America’s additional duty is capped at 30%, and China’s surcharge sits at 10%.

Crypto Rivalry Highlighted

Based on reports of a tweet from financial market reporter Walter Bloomberg, Trump said, “We are leading China in crypto.”

He framed it as a contest for who leads the world in digital coins. Short and sweet, the comment casts Washington and Beijing as opponents in a high‑stakes race.

TRUMP: WE’RE LEADING CHINA IN CRYPTO

— *Walter Bloomberg (@DeItaone) May 14, 2025

According to a statement attributed to US Commerce insiders, the administration has rolled out an “Investment Accelerator” for Bitcoin miners. It would back off‑grid power plants fueled by waste gas.

Those plants could be built next to mining sites, cutting out reliance on local utilities. The idea promises cleaner energy use and lower electricity costs for data centers crunching numbers to secure the Bitcoin network.

China still bans crypto payments and investments. American regulators, by contrast, are said to be working on clear rules to help the industry grow here. Based on reports from the president’s own circle, Trump has even invested in Bitcoin and Ethereum through a family‑backed venture. His son Eric Trump reportedly confirmed that the president holds a sizable amount of Bitcoin.

US law‑enforcement agencies hold roughly 198,000 BTC earned from civil and criminal cases. China’s on‑chain wallets still contain about 194,000 BTC despite the country’s strict ban on mining and trading. Those seized coins don’t fund policy, but they do underscore how much digital gold has passed through US courts.

Observers say Trump’s comments come just as crypto firms look for stable ground. The tariff rollback offers relief for importers. Clearer crypto rules could bring fresh investment.

Whether America truly “wins” the race depends on if regulators can balance investor protections with room to innovate. For now, the White House is betting that friendly policies and big‑scale mining projects will keep the country in the lead.

Featured image from Pacific Forum, chart from TradingView