The contrasting influences of China and the United States on the crypto industry create a complex landscape. As the US emphasizes regulation and oversight, China continues to invest heavily in AI, shaping the future of AI-driven crypto projects.
Challenges Facing AI Development in the US Crypto Sector
Since Donald Trump took office, threats to AI research agencies have increased in the US. His administration laid off several employees at the National Science Foundation (NSF) specifically chosen for their expertise in artificial intelligence.
The layoff of 170 NSF employees in February severely impacted AI development in the US. Among those let go was Courtney Gibbons, a researcher in the mathematical foundations of AI. She could have played a role in building the next ChatGPT.
Additionally, the NSF’s Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships Bureau, responsible for distributing grants for AI projects, was affected by these layoffs. Many review committees were postponed or canceled, halting funding for various AI initiatives.
These actions pose significant risks to innovative companies in the sector and enable China to gain an edge in AI technology. Trump’s decisions have clearly negatively impacted the development of this crucial technology.
Trump’s focus on enhancing US AI dominance through deregulation contradicts his administration’s layoffs at the NSF. Gregory Allen, director of the Wadhwani AI Center, highlighted that most highly qualified employees at US AI companies have participated in NSF-funded research. He stated these cuts “rob the future to pay for the present.”
Many AI experts, including Geoffrey Hinton, criticized these decisions, arguing they harm scientific organizations in the US. Elon Musk has responded by pledging to rectify these mistakes.
Read more: Donald Trump Establishes Strategic Bitcoin Reserve
China’s Strategic Leap in AI: A New Era of Technological Leadership
In contrast to the US, China is making significant advancements in technology. Recently, a new AI model called Manus was launched, following the global success of the AI startup DeepSeek. Reports indicate that the Chinese startup Monica, founded by former Google and Tencent employees under the leadership of Xiao Hong, officially introduced Manus on March 6. Hong claims that Manus is not just an ordinary AI chatbot.
Monica describes Manus as a general AI agent that connects thought and action. It not only thinks but also delivers results, completing various tasks in work and life while users take a break.
Important Notice Regarding Manus’s X Account Suspension
Our official X account (@ManusAI_HQ) was unexpectedly suspended yesterday. We’re actively working with X’s support team to resolve this matter. Preliminary observations suggest the suspension might relate to third-party… pic.twitter.com/hKNVxcfkjZ
— Yichao ‘Peak’ Ji (@peakji) March 7, 2025
Attention grew when Peak Ji Yichao, a co-founder of Manus, shared a 4-minute video showcasing the model’s capabilities on X. The video demonstrated Manus’s ability to think, plan, and complete tasks independently. It also illustrated Manus’s workflow, including interaction with the environment, web browsing, data collection, and performing tasks such as creating travel plans, conducting stock analyses, and assisting teachers by generating interactive school announcements.
Additionally, Manus can quickly review job applications with a human-like perspective. Monica confidently claims Manus outperforms OpenAI’s Deep Research based on GAIA criteria. However, Manus is currently in an invitation-only trial phase, experiencing some server issues and errors like incomplete task execution, with no official public release date set.
How will AI be in the near future?
The future of cryptocurrency projects utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) promises significant advancements in optimizing processes and enhancing performance within the technology sector. As AI technologies gain popularity, these projects will help automate and streamline cryptocurrency processes. They will also create more accurate predictive models, aiding in fraud detection and enhancing transaction security.
In this context, the competition between the US and China becomes more pronounced. While China continues to showcase major advancements in AI and cryptocurrency technology, the US is also working to solidify its dominance in this field. However, resource-cutting policies at research agencies like the NSF have raised concerns among experts about sustaining and developing domestic AI projects. This may create an increasing gap between the two countries in AI development and applications in cryptocurrency, providing opportunities for Chinese projects to dominate the global market. The future of crypto AI projects will depend on innovation capacity, strategic investments, and international collaboration to promote sustainable growth in this area.

Source: Cointelegraph.com
Currently, the market is undergoing adjustments, with several consecutive weeks of price declines. Along with Bitcoin, AI projects are not experiencing the impressive growth that was expected. However, the low price range may be an opportunity for investors interested in this sector.