- U.S. holds 198K BTC via seizures; China controls 190K BTC through mining infrastructure, shaping divergent crypto strategies.
- U.S.-China tariff cuts spur Bitcoin above $104K, Ethereum past $2.5K, as inflation fears ease.
The United States and China have accumulated large Bitcoin reserves as part of broader strategies to influence global finance, according to recent analyses. The U.S. holds approximately 198,000 BTC, primarily seized through law enforcement actions, while China maintains around 190,000 BTC, bolstered by its control over mining hardware and network infrastructure. This accumulation coincides with a temporary U.S.-China trade agreement that eased tariffs and spurred gains across cryptocurrency markets.
China’s approach focuses on infrastructure dominance. Despite restricting domestic mining in 2021, Chinese firms produce most Bitcoin ASIC miners and operate key mining pools. This allows indirect influence over network operations and transaction validation. Meanwhile, the U.S. has built its reserves through asset seizures linked to criminal cases, treating Bitcoin as a strategic reserve rather than a traded commodity.
The contrast reflects differing priorities: China shapes Bitcoin’s technical backbone, while the U.S. secures holdings offline, avoiding market disruption.
Trade Truce Fuels Crypto Market Rally
A recent tariff reduction agreement between the U.S. and China—lowering U.S. duties from 145% to 30% and China’s from 125% to 10%—triggered immediate crypto market optimism. Bitcoin rose above $104,000, Ethereum surpassed $2,500, and Dogecoin gained 12% within hours. ETHNews analysts link the rally to expectations of slower inflation and potential Federal Reserve rate cuts, which often drive capital toward risk-sensitive assets like cryptocurrencies.
The 90-day tariff pause provides short-term stability, reducing fears of supply chain disruptions that could spike consumer prices. Lower inflation risks may encourage looser monetary policy, enhancing crypto’s appeal as an alternative investment.
Both nations treat Bitcoin as a hedge against traditional financial instability. The U.S. stockpile, held by agencies like the IRS and DOJ, remains largely inactive—a digital safeguard rather than a liquid asset. China’s reserves, managed through state-linked enterprises, support its broader fintech ambitions, including the digital yuan.
President Donald Trump recently asserted U.S. leadership in the “crypto race,” though neither country has formalized Bitcoin as legal tender. Instead, their strategies emphasize preparedness for scenarios where fiat systems face stress, such as currency devaluations or sanctions evasion.
While the tariff agreement buoyed prices, long-term crypto market stability depends on sustained geopolitical cooperation. Renewed trade tensions or regulatory crackdowns could reverse gains. Additionally, China’s infrastructure control introduces centralization risks, contradicting Bitcoin’s decentralized ethos.
