Look, I believe it is solely a matter of time earlier than China pulls an entire 180 on its Bitcoin ban. Sure, they outlawed buying and selling and mining again in 2021, however actually, lots has modified since then — particularly this yr. Bitcoin’s momentum globally has been insane.
We have seen US President-Elect Donald Trump calling to stockpile Bitcoin; Bitcoin ETFs get authorised, Fed Chair Jerome Powell calling Bitcoin “digital gold,” Larry Fink flipping pro-Bitcoin, and even Putin saying good issues about it. With all of this occurring, I would not be shocked if China has already began quietly stacking sats (shopping for bitcoin).
This is why I believe that: China would not wish to announce what it is doing beforehand — it is simply not how they function. Former Binance CEO CZ talked about this just lately on the Bitcoin MENA convention in Abu Dhabi, saying that whereas the US likes to make massive public statements about upcoming insurance policies (like Trump saying Bitcoin plans to courtroom voters), Asian international locations favor to maneuver in silence.
And let’s not neglect China would not have elections. They need not win over public opinion like Trump does. In the event that they’re making strikes with Bitcoin, they’re going to do it quietly — and we’ll discover out once they’re able to make it official.
Now, with Trump’s massive push for Bitcoin and crypto, I can not see China sitting on the sidelines for too lengthy. That is turning into a world race, and if China desires to remain aggressive, they can not afford to overlook the Bitcoin practice. My intestine tells me they’re already planning to unban Bitcoin and crypto — and I would not be stunned if it occurs as early as Q1 subsequent yr, particularly if Trump takes workplace.
One other massive trace? Hong Kong. China has a protracted historical past of utilizing Hong Kong as a sandbox to check issues earlier than rolling them out on the mainland. And this yr, we have seen Hong Kong make main strikes — approving Bitcoin and crypto ETFs and greenlighting extra crypto exchanges. Let’s be actual: this is not a coincidence. They’re planning to get rid of crypto taxes for establishments. I believe China is watching fastidiously, and these are early steps towards a broader shift.
For my part, China has doubtless been quietly accumulating bitcoin all alongside. When the time is correct, they’re going to unban it — and never simply to compete with the US, however to guide. Watch this area. I believe it should occur a lot ahead of most individuals anticipate.
This text is a Take. Opinions expressed are completely the writer’s and don’t essentially mirror these of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Journal.