Bitcoin in a World of Sanctions and De-Dollarization
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In a world of escalating geopolitical fractures, Bitcoin's neutrality is being stress-tested. It has become a tool in the geopolitical chess game, used by both state and non-state actors. While some nations use it to cautiously diversify reserves away from the dollar, others, or entities under severe international sanctions, use it as a settlement rail for critical imports like energy and pharmaceuticals.
This dual use creates a complex reality. On one hand, it validates Bitcoin's censorship-resistant nature. On the other, it invites intensified regulatory scrutiny from major powers seeking to control the "on and off-ramps" of the financial system. The development of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) adds another layer, with some analysts suggesting future digital currencies may be designed to be technically incompatible with or surveilable against decentralized assets like Bitcoin. The great geopolitical question of late-2026 is whether Bitcoin will be mostly absorbed into the existing financial order or remain a persistent, uncontrollable alternative system.
Can Bitcoin remain truly neutral, or will increasing geopolitical pressure force the core development or mining community to take sides? Should it?