Arthur Hayes, co-founder of crypto exchange BitMEX, believes the United States won’t add Bitcoin to its national reserves anytime soon. He says the U.S. government wants to protect the U.S. dollar’s global status and sees Bitcoin as a threat to that power.
Hayes shared his views during a recent digital assets event. He explained that the U.S. benefits greatly from controlling the world’s reserve currency—the dollar. Supporting Bitcoin, which is decentralized and not tied to any country, could weaken that control. That’s why he thinks the U.S. will avoid using Bitcoin, even as its national debt climbs past $36 trillion.
According to Hayes, the U.S. is more likely to stick with traditional methods like printing more money and taking on more debt. These steps may help in the short term but could cause trust issues later, especially among countries that hold a lot of U.S. dollars.
Other Countries Taking the Bitcoin Route
While the U.S. keeps relying on the dollar, some smaller nations are exploring Bitcoin. Countries like El Salvador and the Central African Republic have already made Bitcoin part of their financial systems. Others—especially those dealing with high inflation or facing international sanctions—are thinking about using Bitcoin to gain more control over their economies.
Hayes says these countries are using Bitcoin as a tool for financial freedom. They want to move away from systems controlled by big powers like the U.S.
Some experts believe the U.S. may be missing out by avoiding Bitcoin. Digital tools like central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), stablecoins, and decentralized finance (DeFi) are growing fast. Critics say that staying away from Bitcoin could slow the U.S. down in this financial race.
On the other hand, some say the U.S. has no reason to support something it can’t fully control. The dollar still gives Washington strong global influence.
Hayes also warned that if the U.S. keeps printing money, more people may start using Bitcoin on their own. Even if the government doesn’t adopt it, everyday citizens and companies might see it as a safe way to protect their money from inflation.
In the end, Hayes believes we are seeing a big financial shift. The U.S. wants to keep its dollar power, but Bitcoin is slowly becoming more popular around the world. Whether or not governments adopt it, Hayes is confident Bitcoin will remain an important part of the future.
