In 2025, Bitcoin is no longer just a cryptocurrency, but an important financial and even geopolitical instrument. And although its value is not tied to real assets, but depends on demand, exchange rate fluctuations, market conditions, and a number of other factors, many countries around the world are fighting hard for cryptocurrency leadership, including at the government level.
Despite the restrictions imposed, the gap between the bitcoin reserves of the US and China is extremely small
At the same time, some countries in the world, for example, the US and China, set these goals for themselves in a public format: to maintain production, accumulate the first currency, and develop mining. For example, on November 26, 2024, the mining company MARA published an article on its X account, where it named the reasons why mining and bitcoin reserves are critically important for the US. In particular, it was noted that this is a matter of national and economic security. Let’s try to analyze this statement.
According to the Mining Map, the US currently controls 37.8% of the total mining network capacity and is the industry leader. It managed to pull ahead after the mining ban in China in 2021, but despite the restrictions, it still controls more than 21% of the capacity. Moreover, according to MARA, the gap between the US and China’s bitcoin reserves is insignificant: the countries have 200,000 BTC and 190,000 BTC at their disposal, respectively, which does not provide the US with a solid lead. In addition, the trend towards de-dollarization is growing in the world, which could hit the country’s economy.
The US has already developed a step-by-step plan to consolidate its position as a global crypto leader
Other countries in the world, inspired by the success of the US and China, are also developing internal strategies to achieve cryptocurrency leadership. For example, Brazil plans to form its internal bitcoin reserve. In this regard, American mining companies are calling on the US to act quickly in order to maintain its leading position in cryptocurrency mining and accumulation. Because if the US fails to consolidate control over the block space and hashrate, the country will be vulnerable to external influence in conditions when bitcoin is quickly gaining importance as a financial and geopolitical tool.
MARA experts proposed a six-step plan to consolidate the US as a global crypto leader. It includes stimulating the production of ASIC chips in the US to reduce dependence on imports. Today, the leader in the production of mining equipment is the Chinese company Bitmain, which controls about 75-90% of the market. Thus, MARA highlights the need for the US to strengthen its position to avoid dependence on foreign manufacturers and guarantee technological independence. In addition, increased investment in mining infrastructure, the creation of a national strategic bitcoin reserve, ensuring legal transparency for the crypto industry, and the development of global standards for decentralized networks will play a major role.
Blockchain goes beyond financial transactions
The aforementioned MARA company is the same company that took the unique step of immortalizing the portrait of Donald Trump along with the texts of the US Constitution and Bill of Rights on the Bitcoin blockchain. The event caused a significant stir in the crypto community, where experts believe that this case is an example of a new approach to using blockchain that goes beyond financial transactions.
The Trump factor has long been influential in the crypto market. Just look at the fact that on December 16, 2024, after newly elected President Donald Trump proposed creating a strategic Bitcoin reserve in the US, Bitcoin rose to a record high of over $106,000. One of the reasons for this jump is that now is indeed the most optimal time to create such a reserve, similar to the oil reserve. If other countries start accumulating Bitcoin earlier, the number of coins available on the open markets will inevitably decrease. Any reduction in supply on the market can easily lead to an increase in price, and therefore, favorable moments for a profitable purchase of BTC will become significantly fewer. In order to maintain leadership, it is important for the US to start considering the creation of a strategic Bitcoin reserve as soon as possible in parallel with the gold reserve.
Moreover, the focus on mining could strengthen the country from within. In 2023, American mining operations generated $2 billion in revenue, and employment in the field has doubled in the past two years. According to experts, further growth could significantly affect the overall US economic landscape.
