The escalating trade tensions between the US and China are creating a painful feedback loop for the global economy. US tariffs push China deeper into export-driven mercantilism, while Beijing's export surge triggers defensive protectionism among developing nations seeking to shield their domestic industries.

Here's the kicker: nobody wins. Instead of cooperating on shared challenges, both superpowers are imposing mutual economic costs that cascade through emerging markets. Developing countries caught in the middle face shrinking export opportunities and capital outflows, forcing them into protectionist corners.

For crypto and fintech, this matters more than you'd think. Capital controls tighten, cross-border payment friction increases, and emerging markets—where crypto adoption is highest—face economic headwinds. Trade wars don't just reshape supply chains; they reshape where capital flows and who needs decentralized alternatives most.