Trump vows U S crypto leadership as China gains ground in Bitcoin

TLDR

Table of Contents

Trump says China is “getting very big into Bitcoin and crypto right now.”
He pledges U.S. leadership in crypto to counter China and Japan’s growth.
Trump defends Binance Co-founder CZ’s pardon as a move against bias.
China invests in blockchain and crypto via Hong Kong despite a domestic ban.

China’s growing role in the cryptocurrency sector has drawn attention from U.S. President Donald Trump. During a recent interview, Trump warned that China is expanding fast in Bitcoin and other digital assets. He said the United States must stay ahead in this area to protect its leadership in technology and finance. His remarks come as the global crypto race intensifies between top economies.

Trump Vows to Keep the U.S. Ahead in Crypto

President Donald Trump has expressed concern over China’s growing role in the crypto space. He said, “China is getting very big into Bitcoin and crypto right now.” Trump made these comments in an interview at Mar-a-Lago, stating that the U.S. must not fall behind in the global race for digital assets.

He added that keeping the United States in the lead is a top priority. Trump compared crypto to artificial intelligence and said both are essential for national strength. “If we’re not going to be the head of it, China or someplace else is,” he said. Trump’s focus on technology has become a key part of his message in recent weeks.

According to Trump, the U.S. must lead the development and regulation of cryptocurrencies. He claimed that the U.S. had slowed progress under the Biden administration. He said, “We’re number one in crypto in the whole world because I’m the president.”

Trump Defends Pardon of Binance Co-founder

During the interview, Trump also addressed his decision to pardon Binance Co-founder Changpeng Zhao, also known as CZ. Zhao had pleaded guilty in 2023 to violating U.S. anti-money laundering laws. The Department of Justice said the case had created risks for national safety.

Trump defended the pardon, calling the prosecution a “Biden witch hunt.” He described Zhao as “a highly respected, successful guy” and said he believed Zhao was unfairly treated. Trump said, “He was a victim, just like I was, of a vicious, horrible group of people in the Biden administration.”

He said he did not know Zhao personally but believed in his innocence. Trump also noted that his sons are more involved in the crypto space than he is. Still, he said digital assets are now a real and valuable part of the American economy.

China’s Role in the Crypto Sector

China banned direct crypto trading in 2021. However, Trump claimed the country has since been investing heavily in Bitcoin and blockchain systems. “China is getting into it very big, right now,” he said during the interview. His warning comes as new data shows China’s influence continues through Hong Kong’s crypto hub.

Even with its domestic restrictions, China has supported blockchain research and central bank digital currency efforts. It also backs companies that operate under Hong Kong’s crypto rules. Analysts say this allows China to stay involved in crypto without lifting its mainland ban.

Trump said the U.S. must respond fast. He believes that slowing down now would allow other countries, especially China and Japan, to gain control of the future digital economy.

Crypto and National Strategy

Trump linked the crypto industry to national strength. He argued that countries leading in digital assets will shape future global finance. “We are number one, and that’s the only thing I care about,” he said.

U.S. politicians from both parties have begun to look at cryptocurrency as more than a financial tool. Trump’s recent comments suggest that crypto could be part of wider U.S. policy on innovation and economic power.

He said that while others may have ignored crypto in the past, the time has come for strong leadership. Trump ended his remarks by promising to keep the U.S. on top in both crypto and AI development.