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The US and China are in fierce competition in many fields, so why on cryptocurrency trading have they gone in completely opposite directions?

The US under President Donald Trump positions itself as a pro-crypto hub to foster innovation. The US leader’s family even has its own digital tokens.
China under President Xi Jinping has imposed a strict ban on domestic trading and mining of digital currency since 2019. Because of that crackdown, China now controls significant Bitcoin reserves following the government seizure of illegally mined and traded digital tokens.

But a crypto-trading ban doesn’t mean China’s opposed to embracing blockchain, the core technology that enables crypto currency. While the US focuses on market-driven growth, China is testing state-backed digital currency and utilising Hong Kong as a regulated, compliant hub for digital asset innovation.

In this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi is joined by Sam Reynolds, a senior reporter at CoinDesk, a cryptocurrency media outlet, and Angela Ang, the head of policy and strategic partnerships at TRM Labs, a blockchain intelligence company.

Asia Specific brings you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the Asia Pacific region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends. Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people.

Whether it is the latest on trade between China and Donald Trump, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy - we unpack what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter.

Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi alongside Â鶹Éç experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Get in touch: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk