Bitcoin Struggles Below $80K as US-China AI Tensions Shake Markets

[etfs]

Bitcoin traded near $78,000 on Thursday but continued to face strong resistance at the $80,000 level as geopolitical tensions between the US and China weighed on broader risk sentiment. The renewed friction comes ahead of a planned Trump–Xi summit, adding uncertainty to already fragile markets.

The White House accused Chinese-linked entities of running large-scale campaigns to steal US AI technology, escalating concerns over industrial espionage and frontier model security. Officials said the operations involve proxy networks and attempts to extract proprietary data from American AI systems.

While the dispute is focused on AI, crypto markets often react to macro risk shifts. Historically, rising US–China tensions have pushed investors away from risk assets like Bitcoin and into safer positions.

[mendez]

$1.8B in notional exposure on the $80K call is a double-edged signal it reflects genuine bullish conviction, but also creates a magnet for a liquidity hunt below before any real breakout happens.