By Anjali Kochhar
As tensions between the U.S. and China continue to escalate, Arthur Hayes co-founder and former CEO of crypto exchange BitMEX believes Bitcoin could emerge as a massive beneficiary. In his latest analysis, Hayes suggests that the ongoing economic conflict between the two superpowers will likely lead to aggressive monetary policies that can fuel Bitcoin’s long-term value.
The trade war, marked by tariffs, supply chain reshuffling, and financial retaliation, is more than just a geopolitical feud. Hayes sees it as a trigger for global monetary easing. Both nations, in their attempt to cushion economic impacts, are expected to inject large amounts of liquidity into the system—essentially printing more money. According to Hayes, this devaluation of fiat currencies increases the attractiveness of scarce digital assets like Bitcoin.
“Every major economy needs to print a lot of money to cushion the effects of this decline in globalisation,” Hayes said during an interview on the Forward Guidance podcast. “And when that happens, Bitcoin benefits.”
He explains that the decoupling from globalisation will create a ripple effect, pushing countries to become more self-reliant, which in turn could pressure them to deploy more stimulus to maintain internal economic stability. In such an environment, Bitcoin, with its fixed supply and decentralised nature, could act as a safe haven against inflation and fiat currency risks.
While some speculate that central banks may eventually hold Bitcoin as part of their reserves, Hayes remains skeptical. He argues that central bankers are still deeply rooted in traditional frameworks and are more likely to lean on gold than on crypto in the near term. “They understand gold. They’ve been trained in gold. They’ve read history books about gold,” he noted.
However, Hayes sees this as a transitional phase. As younger generations take leadership roles and as digital assets gain more institutional trust, Bitcoin could gradually be accepted as a strategic reserve or macro hedge.
At the time of his comments, Bitcoin was hovering near $95,000 and eyeing the $100,000 mark. With trade frictions likely to intensify and inflation concerns remaining, Hayes’s outlook positions Bitcoin not just as a speculative asset but as a long-term hedge against the fragility of the current global financial system.
About the author
Anjali Kochhar covers cryptocurrency and blockchain stories in India as well as globally. Having been in the field of media and journalism for over four years now, she has developed a sharp news sense and works hard to present information that goes beyond the obvious. She is an avid reader and loves writing on a wide range of subjects.
