- Trump warned that China’s growing presence in Bitcoin could threaten U.S. dominance in digital finance.
- He defended his pardon of Binance’s CZ, calling it politically motivated.
- The U.S. still leads China in Bitcoin reserves, but the gap is closing fast.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is once again stirring conversation around crypto — this time warning that China’s growing involvement in Bitcoin could threaten America’s dominance in the digital economy.
In a sit-down interview with CBS correspondent Norah O’Donnell at Mar-a-Lago, Trump said he believes Beijing is moving fast in crypto and blockchain innovation, and that the U.S. risks falling behind if it doesn’t keep up.
“China is getting very big into Bitcoin and crypto right now,” Trump said. “If we’re not leading, we’re losing. And that could hurt our economy and our technology leadership.”
Trump Pushes to Keep the U.S. Ahead in Digital Finance
Trump compared the crypto race to the current boom in artificial intelligence, saying both technologies will shape global power in the years ahead. “I want to keep America number one,” he said. “If we’re not leading, China or someone else will.”
He also claimed his administration had already put the U.S. in a strong position, calling it “the world leader in cryptocurrency innovation.” Trump didn’t hold back from criticizing President Biden, saying the country had seen “nothing but stagnation” under his leadership.
According to Trump, maintaining dominance in both AI and crypto is crucial for U.S. national security and long-term competitiveness. “This isn’t just about money,” he added. “It’s about who leads the future.”
Trump Defends His Pardon of Binance Founder CZ
The former president also defended his controversial decision to pardon Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ), who in 2023 pleaded guilty to breaching U.S. anti-money laundering laws. Prosecutors said those violations posed a national security risk, but Trump called the case politically motivated.
“That was a Biden witch hunt,” he said bluntly. “CZ is a highly respected, successful guy. I didn’t know him personally, but he was treated with great unfairness. It was vicious.”
Trump even mentioned that his sons are more active in crypto than he is, adding that he sees digital assets as a key part of the modern economy. “We’re number one in crypto because I’m the president,” he said with a grin.
China Quietly Returns to the Crypto Arena
Trump’s warning comes as China appears to be quietly re-entering the digital asset market after years of strict bans. Analysts note growing activity from Chinese-linked firms and miners, particularly in Bitcoin and tokenized infrastructure.
He framed Beijing’s renewed involvement as a wake-up call for U.S. policymakers. “If we lose that edge, we lose strength — economically, technologically, globally,” Trump said, connecting the issue to his campaign message of “America First through Innovation.”
U.S. Still Leads in Bitcoin Holdings — For Now
According to Bitbo data, the United States currently holds around 198,012 BTC, worth roughly $21.3 billion, while China’s holdings are close behind at 194,000 BTC (about $20.9 billion). That slim margin, Trump warned, shows just how tight the race has become.
“We are number one,” he said firmly, “and that’s the only thing I care about. I don’t want China or anybody else to take it away.”
