Global Shift: Rising Tensions Drive Nations Toward Bitcoin and Neutral Financial Systems
Escalating geopolitical tensions and the imposition of tariffs under the Donald Trump administration have prompted several countries to reassess their reliance on the U.S. financial infrastructure.
A recent report by investment management firm VanEck emphasizes that the increasing use of financial systems as tools of geopolitical influence has accelerated the demand for neutral, decentralized payment networks. What was once a theoretical concept is now being put to the test in real-world transactions.
As a result, Bitcoin is steadily evolving from a speculative asset into a legitimate financial instrument — particularly for countries aiming to reduce dependence on the U.S. dollar.
The report notes that China and Russia are at the forefront of this shift, having conducted energy trades using Bitcoin and other digital currencies. This supports previous findings by CryptoSlate, which revealed that Russian oil firms have used crypto to settle trade with China and India, effectively circumventing Western sanctions.
Market analyst Jonathan Hammel highlights that the global shift began in 2022, when the U.S. froze Russian reserves and restricted access to dollar-clearing systems. That moment, he argues, triggered a loss of trust in the U.S.-led financial order, accelerating the global move toward decentralized alternatives like Bitcoin.
