Bitcoin could consolidate its position as the biggest beneficiary of the escalating tariffs between the United States and China. As the two nations escalate their trade war, investors are desperately seeking alternatives to protect their assets from the volatility of the traditional financial system. And that's where the king of cryptocurrencies comes in.
Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX and a key figure in the crypto world, warns that a decisive move by the People's Bank of China (PBOC)—in the form of a yuan devaluation—could trigger a new wave of Bitcoin adoption, especially among Chinese investors. According to his analysis, there are solid precedents to support this hypothesis: in 2013 and 2015, similar events triggered demand for BTC, driven by investors' need to protect themselves against currency depreciation.
Bitcoin could consolidate its position as the biggest beneficiary of the escalating tariffs between the United States and China. As the two nations escalate their trade war, investors are desperately seeking alternatives to protect their assets from the volatility of the traditional financial system. And that's where the king of cryptocurrencies comes in.
Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX and a key figure in the crypto world, warns that a decisive move by the People's Bank of China (PBOC)—in the form of a yuan devaluation—could trigger a new wave of Bitcoin adoption, especially among Chinese investors. According to his analysis, there are solid precedents to support this hypothesis: in 2013 and 2015, similar events triggered demand for BTC, driven by investors' need to protect themselves against currency depreciation.
A known scenario, an anticipated response
China has already hinted at its strategy: it could allow a controlled depreciation of the yuan to counter the impact of the new US tariffs. By making its exports cheaper, it would maintain the competitiveness of its economy. But this measure is not without consequences: historically, it has led to a flight of capital seeking refuge in decentralized assets, including Bitcoin.
Bybit CEO Ben Zhou agrees with Hayes, noting that this pattern repeats itself with remarkable consistency: “Whenever the yuan weakens, capital flows into BTC intensify. It’s a direct and predictable relationship.”
Both ecosystem leaders warn that this dynamic could be repeated on a large scale in 2025, especially if the tariff crisis escalates and continues for a long time.
Bitcoin as a neutral asset in a fragmented world:
Unlike gold, traditionally considered a safe haven, Bitcoin offers unique advantages for modern investors: it is portable, censorship-resistant, and not tied to any government's monetary policies. In a context of growing geopolitical distrust, these characteristics become invaluable.
What can we expect?
Everything indicates that the conflict between the United States and China is far from resolved. With two economies at odds, monetary policies in jeopardy, and a dollar whose hegemony is increasingly questioned, Bitcoin could be at the beginning of its most significant cycle to date.
The movements of the coming weeks will be crucial. If China opts for an effective devaluation of the yuan and the United States responds with new sanctions, demand for decentralized assets like BTC could skyrocket. This would not only affect the price, but also the global positioning of cryptocurrencies as legitimate financial safeguards.