When DeepSeek is siphoning the neurons from OpenAI, Microsoft cries foul, and the US Navy barricades its servers. The digital cold war is in full swing.
Monetary tensions are intensifying as the BRICS accelerate their quest for independence from the US dollar. This dynamic is upending global economic strategies and prompting major powers to rethink their financial reserves. Currently, the Trump administration has announced the creation of a "strategic crypto stock," reigniting an explosive debate between bitcoin supporters and those of XRP. Some see it as an official recognition of the role of these assets in monetary policy, while others question which cryptos will actually be integrated. Beyond technological rivalry, this confrontation reveals major geopolitical stakes: the choice of the BRICS between bitcoin, XRP, or another crypto could reshape the balance of global reserves and redefine power dynamics among states.
The European Union is intensifying its control over non-compliant stablecoins in accordance with its new regulations. Crypto.com has just announced the removal of Tether (USDT) and nine other cryptocurrencies in Europe, a decision that marks a shift for the sector. Such an initiative directly responds to the requirements of the MiCA regulation (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation), which imposes strict oversight of stablecoins and associated services. Following Coinbase, which removed USDT in October 2024, Crypto.com is following suit and imposing a precise timeline on its users. As of January 31, 2025, the purchasing and depositing of these assets will be banned on its European platform. Starting March 31, the remaining funds will be automatically converted into MiCA-compliant stablecoins. This removal goes beyond mere compliance. It reshapes the stablecoin landscape in Europe, where exchanges must now adapt to the new rules or risk sanctions. In a rapidly changing market, this announcement underscores the regulators' desire to impose a strict framework and raises uncertainties about the future of decentralized stablecoins in the EU.
Every decision made by the American Federal Reserve shapes the global economy and influences the cost of credit, the direction of investments, and the stability of financial markets. At its first meeting of 2025, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) chose to keep interest rates unchanged, despite Donald Trump's persistent calls for monetary easing. This status quo caused a contrasting shock wave: stock indices, from Nasdaq to Dow Jones, closed lower, while Bitcoin surged by 2.5%. Thus, this movement underscores once again the unique trajectory of cryptocurrencies, which seem to diverge from traditional economic logics.
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, continues to expand his footprint in the crypto space by integrating his official memecoin, $TRUMP, into the sale of merchandise. Holders of $TRUMP can now purchase items such as sneakers, watches, and perfumes using this token. This initiative marks a significant evolution for the 47th president, who previously referred to the value of cryptocurrencies as "based on thin air."
The Lone Star State could become the first American state to officially establish a bitcoin reserve. Dan Patrick, the Lieutenant Governor of Texas, has included this project among the legislative priorities for 2025, marking a decisive milestone in the institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies in the United States.
Bitcoin, despite its 10% increase since January, could face a major correction as gold outperforms with annual gains of 20%. This inverse dynamic between the two assets raises concerns about an imminent reversal in the crypto market.
On January 29, 2025, the Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG), the parent company of Truth Social, announced its expansion into the financial services and cryptocurrency sector by launching a new brand called Truth.Fi. This initiative aims to offer separately managed accounts in partnership with Charles Schwab Bank, customized exchange-traded funds, as well as crypto-related services.
The Salvadoran government has urgently passed a major amendment to its bitcoin legislation, abandoning the requirement for companies to accept BTC as a means of payment. This reform comes as part of a $1.4 billion loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The semiconductor industry has become the battleground of a technological war between the United States and China. Washington, concerned about preserving its strategic advantage in artificial intelligence, has already imposed several restrictions on the export of high-performance chips. Despite these measures, China has continued to make progress, prompting Donald Trump to consider further tightening the limitations aimed at Nvidia. This project could reshape the balances of the global AI market and weaken American companies. Between national security imperatives and economic stakes, this decision fits into a strategy aimed at curbing Beijing's technological rise. However, the effectiveness of these restrictions remains uncertain, as Chinese companies double down on efforts to circumvent these sanctions and develop their own alternatives.