Chinese currencies gain prominence as Trump and Beijing resume trade negotiations

U.S. government authorities are preparing for crucial meetings with Chinese leaders this week, reigniting speculation about how trade policies could impact the crypto sector. News that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will travel to Switzerland for negotiations with China has sparked a new wave of optimism among traders. For market observers, this diplomatic opening raises a key question: how will China’s cryptocurrencies behave in the face of potential changes in U.S.-China trade relations?

How are the top 5 Chinese currencies performing in February?

The five leading tokens made in China showed positive movements over the past 24 hours, reflecting an optimistic market sentiment. According to updated data from February 25, 2026, the outlook is clearly favorable for these Chinese cryptocurrencies:

• NEO (小蚁): $2.84, up 9.02%
• VeChain (VET): $0.01, up 10.32%
• Conflux (CFX): $0.05, up 8.78%
• TRON (TRX): $0.29, up 1.37%
• OKB (OK Coin): $78.42, up 6.37%

The collective performance of these tokens contrasts with earlier predictions about the impact of trade tariffs. NEO continues to be considered an “Eastern Ethereum” by the crypto community, while TRON stands out for its scalability and low transaction fees. VeChain, focused on blockchain traceability, gained 10% in just a few hours, indicating growing appetite for enterprise-oriented solutions in China.

How trade negotiations influence Chinese coin prices

Although the Trump administration has made it clear that no immediate major trade deal is expected, the very possibility of dialogue has eased previous tensions. Traders speculate that positive news about U.S.-China negotiations acts as a catalyst for tokens related to the Chinese crypto market.

The volatility of these Chinese currencies tends to amplify during periods of geopolitical uncertainty. When tensions ease, as they are now, investors resume positions in assets they previously avoided out of caution. This emotional cycle explains why projects like NEO and VeChain saw gains exceeding 9% in just one day.

An additional factor is that after weeks of concerns over American tariffs on Chinese products, the expectation of negotiations provides relief to the crypto market. This dynamic particularly benefits Chinese tokens, which historically suffer more from trade tensions.

U.S. dominance in Bitcoin mining versus China’s infrastructure

The landscape of Bitcoin mining has changed dramatically over the past two years. A April 2025 report from Cambridge Digital Mining Industry shows that the U.S. now leads in mining activity, leaving China in second place. This reversal was caused by China’s official ban on domestic mining.

However, China maintains a crucial advantage: it remains the world’s leading exporter of ASIC miners (specialized mining equipment). This creates an interesting paradox — although mining is prohibited within its borders, China still controls the hardware supply chain.

A October 2024 study by Cambridge’s Center for Alternative Finance estimated that China still holds about 21% of the global Bitcoin hash power. This raises important questions: how does a country officially banned from mining maintain this power? The answer points to an underground Chinese crypto mining economy that continues operating despite official restrictions.

The underground Chinese cryptocurrency economy: an unknown factor

Isolated locations like Inner Mongolia, with access to cheap renewable electricity, remain ideal spots for clandestine Bitcoin mining operations. Although these activities operate in the shadows, their contribution to global hash power remains significant.

Nic Puckrin, co-founder of Coin Bureau and crypto expert, shared his view on this scenario: “Despite the official ban, the infrastructure is already in place: from offshore mining to cross-border trading hubs. With increased global adoption of cryptocurrencies and the U.S. taking the lead, China might be encouraged to engage more strategically, even if unofficially.”

This analysis suggests that China’s underground crypto economy is less an isolated regulatory problem and more a structural reality of the global crypto market. The potential normalization of trade between the U.S. and China could even pressure the Chinese government to reconsider its crypto policies in the long run — especially if negotiations lead to a broader agreement.

The intersection of trade policy, Bitcoin mining, and Chinese currencies creates a complex but fascinating scenario for crypto market watchers in 2026.