U.S. Vice President JD Vance urged the United States to embrace bitcoin as a strategic tool to counter China’s wariness of the cryptocurrency, emphasizing its potential as a key asset in the ongoing geopolitical rivalry.

Speaking at the Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Vance highlighted that China’s ban on crypto trading and mining since 2021 presents an opportunity for the U.S. to gain a competitive edge in the digital asset space.

“The People’s Republic of China doesn’t like bitcoin. Well, we should be asking ourselves, why is that? Why is our biggest adversary such an opponent of bitcoin? If the communist Republic of China is leaning away from bitcoin, then maybe the United States ought to be leaning into it,” Vance said.

As the White House pushes for a comprehensive overhaul of cryptocurrency policy, Vance underscored that bitcoin will be a strategically vital asset for the U.S. over the next decade.

He praised President Donald Trump’s March executive order establishing a strategic bitcoin reserve using government-held tokens, a move aimed at bolstering the nation’s position in the digital economy.

Vance’s remarks come amid a broader resurgence of digital assets under the Trump administration, which has actively courted support from the crypto industry.

During his campaign, Trump pledged to be a “crypto president,” signaling a shift toward pro-cryptocurrency policies.

The administration’s focus on bitcoin aligns with efforts to integrate digital assets into the mainstream economy, with Vance noting that approximately 50 million Americans currently own bitcoin—a figure he expects to grow significantly.

The Vice President also cautioned that overregulation could stifle innovation and drive crypto investment overseas.

He urged the crypto community to remain engaged in policy debates, emphasizing the interplay between digital assets and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.

“What happens in AI is very much going to affect what happens to bitcoin, and I don’t want America to be negatively affected by what happens in AI,” he added.

Vance’s speech marked the first time a sitting U.S. vice president has addressed a cryptocurrency conference, underscoring the growing significance of digital assets in national strategy.

The administration’s push for a bitcoin reserve and relaxed regulations reflects a broader vision to position the U.S. as a leader in the global digital economy, particularly in contrast to China’s restrictive stance on cryptocurrencies.