Did you see Bitcoin smash through $104,000? Insane, right? While the talking heads are droning on about institutional investment and ETF flows, I'm looking at something much bigger: Southeast Asia. Believe it or not, we have Trump – yes, that Trump – to thank for introducing us to This Week in Regulation. He certainly paved the way for what came next.
China Trade Deal: Unexpected Crypto Catalyst?
The U.S.-China trade war was a large and lopsided economic headwind. Remember those insane tariffs? 145% tariff rate on Chinese exports into the US, and 125% tariff reimposed immediately back on US exports. Talk about market disruption. And who pays the price in those types of scenarios? Emerging markets.
Now, enter the Geneva talks. Trump’s Truth Social post about the meeting being “very good” and suggesting that China is going to open up? That’s not just good news for soybean farmers. That’s a positive signal across risk-on assets, crypto included. Why? That’s in part because calming trade tensions takes with it a big measure of uncertainty that had been strangling global liquidity. But where does that suddenly freed-up capital go? To the areas with the most ability and willingness to grow smartly.
Southeast Asia: Crypto's New Frontier
That, my friends, is Southeast Asia. We’re referring to a region that is home to the world’s largest, youngest, and fastest-growing tech population. A region hungry for financial innovation. A place where conventional banking infrastructure is frequently unavailable, making it a promising market for crypto to step in and bridge the divide.
- Financial Inclusion: Millions are unbanked. Crypto offers a way in.
- Cross-Border Payments: Forget slow, expensive transfers. Crypto is instant and cheap.
- Access to Capital: SMEs can bypass traditional lenders and tap into global crypto markets.
The truth is the narrative that crypto is a Western invention for Western problems is frankly, bull. Southeast Asia is not only going to embrace crypto, it’s going to reshape it.
Time to Call out the Western Bias
Western media outlets focus on the US and Europe, writing about the potential of ETFs, or the regulatory landscape in America. They are missing the point. The real action is happening elsewhere. It’s about the 650 million people living across Southeast Asia who are poised to leap into a mobile-first financial paradigm.
Southeast Asia’s digital economy is on fire, but even more impressive are the incredible adaptability of ASEAN’s peoples. Unlike most of us, they’re not waiting for permission—they’re building the future today. It is high time to change the narrative and put Southeast Asia where it deserves to be, as a crypto superpower.
Southeast Asia: Seize this Moment Now!
This isn’t simply a Bitcoin is at an all-time high story. This is about a generational wealth-building opportunity. If you are an entrepreneur in Southeast Asia, there has never been a better opportunity to create that crypto startup. If you’re a philanthropic or impact investor, the time to capitalize those businesses in on now. Don't let this moment pass you by.
The pieces are all in place. This is the one area where Trump’s trade deal (again, not directly) has injected some liquidity into the market. Bitcoin is at an all-time high and so is the mania around it. And Southeast Asia is brilliantly placed to surf that wave to a greener, more innovative and more inclusive future.
| Challenge | Crypto Solution | Opportunity |
|---|---|---|
| Unbanked Millions | Mobile crypto wallets, DeFi lending platforms | Expand financial inclusion, drive economic growth |
| Slow Payments | Instant, low-cost cross-border crypto transfers | Facilitate trade, remittances, and investment |
| Lack of Capital | Crypto crowdfunding, tokenized assets | Empower SMEs, unlock new investment opportunities |
The pieces are all in place. Trump's trade deal (however indirectly) has injected liquidity into the market. Bitcoin is surging, creating a wave of excitement. And Southeast Asia is perfectly positioned to ride that wave to a brighter, more prosperous future.
Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
