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22 Mar 2026, 16:15
No-ID Sports Betting in Germany — Best Crypto Sportsbooks for BTC, ETH, and Stablecoin Wagers
The gambling landscape in Germany has seen significant shifts recently, with tighter regulations and mandatory verification processes becoming the norm for traditional operators. For privacy-conscious bettors, this has sparked a massive surge in interest toward crypto betting sites . These platforms allow users to bet with cryptocurrency like Bitcoin and Ethereum, offering a level of anonymity and speed that "fiat" bookmakers simply cannot match. Whether you want to bet with BTC to keep your financial data private or use stablecoins to avoid volatility, choosing the right platform is crucial. In this guide, we review the top sports betting platforms available in Germany that prioritize no-KYC (Know Your Customer) policies, instant payouts, and a premium selection of crypto betting games. 1. Dexsport – The Ultimate Hub for Anonymous Web3 Betting Dexsport stands out as the premier choice for German players seeking a truly decentralized experience. Unlike traditional sites, Dexsport operates on the blockchain, ensuring that every wager is transparent and verifiable. Welcome Bonus: 480% up to $10,000 on the first three deposits + 300 Free Spins Key Feature: Full Anonymity & Smart Contract Security (Audited by CertiK) Accepted Coins: BTC, ETH, USDT, BNB, TRON (40+ assets supported) Why Choose Dexsport? Dexsport is a licensed decentralized sportsbook that eliminates the need for intrusive identity checks. You can sign up instantly via MetaMask, Trust Wallet, or Telegram, making it the gold standard for no-ID sports betting. The platform offers a robust Cash Out feature, giving you real-time control over your live bets. Beyond sports, their library features over 10,000 crypto betting games, including high-stakes slots and live dealer tables from world-class providers like Pragmatic Play and Evolution. With weekly 15% cashback paid in stablecoins, it’s built for long-term value. 2. XBet – International Variety & Deep Football Markets XBet is a powerhouse for those who prioritize market depth, especially in European football. It bridges the gap between traditional betting structures and the world of digital assets. Pros: Massive coverage of soccer leagues; excellent live (in-play) betting. Cons: Interface can be cluttered; KYC may be requested for large withdrawals. While XBet allows you to bet with bitcoin, it is not a "pure" Web3 platform like Dexsport. It is ideal for bettors who want a familiar interface and a massive variety of international sports, though the possibility of identity verification means it’s slightly less private than decentralized alternatives. 3. Voltage Bet – The Modern All-in-One Platform Voltage Bet is a rising star among sports betting platforms, offering a sleek, mobile-friendly interface that caters to both US sports fans (NFL, NBA) and international markets. Pros: Very user-friendly; supports both crypto and fiat. Cons: Relatively new brand; withdrawal processing can take a few days. Voltage Bet offers a dual-part welcome bonus covering both the sportsbook and the casino. It’s a solid "middle-ground" choice for those who want to bet with cryptocurrency but still appreciate the polished feel of a modern, centralized sportsbook. 4. BetPanda – High Limits & Total Privacy If your main goal is to bet with btc without ever showing an ID card, BetPanda is a top-tier contender. It is known for its "VPN-friendly" approach and rapid transactions. Pros: 100% bonus up to 1 BTC; no KYC required for most users. Cons: Sports promotions are less frequent than competitors. BetPanda excels in simplicity. With a curated list of 3,000+ slots and a functional sportsbook covering niche events like ski jumping, it’s a great secondary site for privacy enthusiasts, even if its sports-specific bonuses are more modest. 5. Stake – The Industry Giant Stake is perhaps the most famous name in the crypto gambling world. It offers a professional-grade betting interface with some of the best odds in the industry. Pros: Competitive 2–5% margins; live streaming of major events. Cons: Mandatory KYC for withdrawals; high wagering requirements. Stake is perfect for the "pro" bettor who doesn't mind verification in exchange for high liquidity and live streaming. However, for those specifically seeking No-ID sports betting in Germany, Stake’s strict KYC policy makes it a less "anonymous" choice compared to Dexsport. Conclusion: Which Platform Wins? For German bettors who value privacy above all else, Dexsport is the clear winner. Its decentralized nature, lack of KYC, and instant wallet-to-wallet transactions provide a level of freedom that centralized platforms like Stake or XBet can't offer. Ready to get started? Use a DeFi wallet to connect to Dexsport today and claim your 480% welcome package while keeping your data exactly where it belongs—with you.
22 Mar 2026, 16:09
Canadian Crypto Betting Guide — Best Platforms for Football, NHL, and Esports with BTC & ETH
Crypto betting in Canada is evolving fast. What started as a niche alternative is now becoming a preferred option for players who want faster transactions, fewer restrictions, and access to global markets. Modern Web3 crypto sportsbooks are built for speed and flexibility. You can deposit with Bitcoin or Ethereum in seconds, jump into live betting, and withdraw without waiting days for bank approvals. In this guide, we break down the best platforms available to Canadian users and explain how they perform across three key segments: football, NHL, and esports. Why Crypto Betting Is Growing in Canada Canadian bettors are increasingly moving toward crypto — not because it’s trendy, but because it solves real problems. Here’s what makes the difference: faster deposits and withdrawals fewer banking restrictions access to offshore betting markets better support for live betting At the same time, the rise of stablecoins makes bankroll management easier, especially for users who want to avoid volatility. Quick Comparison of Top Platforms Platform Best For Crypto Support KYC Sports Coverage Key Strength Dexsport Web3 betting & speed 40+ coins No Football, NHL, esports Instant betting + transparency Voltage Bet Hybrid betting experience Crypto + fiat Yes Strong across all sports All-in-one platform BetNow Simple betting & accessibility Crypto + fiat Partial Football, NHL, global sports Beginner-friendly Best Crypto Sportsbooks for Canadian Players Dexsport — Best Web3 Platform for Multi-Sport Betting Dexsport is one of the most advanced crypto betting platforms available today. It’s built around decentralization, which means: no KYC fast transactions full control over funds For Canadian users betting across multiple sports, this flexibility is crucial. Why it works well: 40+ supported cryptocurrencies instant deposits and withdrawals strong live betting support transparent on-chain betting Whether you’re betting on football matches, NHL games, or esports tournaments, the experience stays consistent — fast and uninterrupted. Voltage Bet — Best Hybrid Crypto + Fiat Sportsbook Voltage Bet is a more traditional platform, but with crypto integration. It combines: sportsbook casino live betting This makes it a good option for users who want everything in one place. Strengths include: wide sports coverage (NHL, football, esports) flexible payment methods smooth interface The trade-off is slower withdrawals compared to Web3-native platforms, especially when using fiat. BetNow — Best for Simple and Accessible Betting BetNow focuses on simplicity. It’s not overloaded with features, which makes it easy to: navigate markets place bets quickly understand odds For Canadian bettors entering crypto betting, this can be a good starting point. Key features: supports crypto deposits covers major sports including NHL easy sign-up process It’s not the most advanced platform, but it’s reliable for straightforward betting. Football Betting with Crypto Football (soccer) remains one of the most popular betting markets globally — and Canadian users have access to a wide range of leagues. What makes football betting unique: low scoring → high impact events strong live betting opportunities wide variety of markets Key markets to focus on: match winner (1X2) over/under goals both teams to score Crypto betting improves the experience by allowing: faster entry into live markets easier bankroll adjustments better access to international odds NHL Betting with Bitcoin and Ethereum Hockey is one of the core betting markets in Canada — and it behaves very differently from football. NHL betting characteristics: higher scoring than football faster pace momentum-driven games Common markets include: moneyline puck line (-1.5 / +1.5) totals (goals) Quick comparison: Market Best Use Case Moneyline Straight bets Puck line Higher odds Totals Game flow predictions Live betting is particularly effective in NHL due to rapid shifts in momentum — something crypto platforms handle better thanks to faster execution. Esports Crypto Betting: A Growing Segment Esports is rapidly becoming one of the most active betting categories. Games like: CS2 Dota 2 League of Legends Valorant offer constant betting opportunities. Why crypto works well here: global audience frequent matches fast odds updates Unlike traditional sports, esports events happen year-round, making them ideal for consistent betting activity. Final Thoughts Crypto betting in Canada is no longer just an alternative — it’s becoming a standard for players who want speed and flexibility. Dexsport leads in Web3 functionality and execution speed, while Voltage Bet and BetNow provide more traditional experiences with crypto integration. The best platform depends on your style. If you prioritize speed and control, Web3 platforms are the clear choice. If you prefer simplicity or hybrid options, traditional sportsbooks still have their place.
22 Mar 2026, 15:00
Gold falters as macro pressures build, bitcoin holds liquidity trend
Rising real rates and inflation risks weigh on gold, while bitcoin continues to consolidate.
22 Mar 2026, 13:00
Gold’s Buy Climax Is Playing Out, And Bitcoin Could Pay The Price
Gold’s sudden reversal is beginning to influence how some market watchers see Bitcoin’s next move. In a market note shared on X, verified analyst Joao Wedson noted that the relationship between the two assets is unfolding in line with a sequence he outlined earlier this year wheregold peaks first, volatility erupts, Bitcoin reacts sharply afterward, and only later does liquidity begin to rotate back into Bitcoin. Gold’s Euphoria Peak Was The Warning Sign Retail and Institutional enthusiasm reached a massive peak when gold reached an all-time high of $5,589 per ounce in late January. However, crypto analyst Joao Wedson flagged the move at the time as a buy climax consisting of a sharp, high-volume price spike caused by peak euphoria. The chart attached to the post by Joao Wedson demonstrates that moment precisely, marking a BC near gold’s top before a violent drop, then a later test in early March that failed to produce a lasting breakout above the January peak. As of today, Sunday, March 22, 2026, gold is trading at $4,493 per ounce, which is a decline of roughly $150 (about -3.23%) from yesterday’s rate of $4,643. On March 19, gold was trading as low as $4,551, a drop of roughly 18.5% in less than two months, with the sell-off stretching to seven consecutive sessions, the worst week of price action since 1983. Gold Buy Climax. Source: @joao_wedson On X How Does This Affect Bitcoin? Bitcoin has largely underperformed compared to gold this year, but both assets have been coordinating during periods of declines. The upper half of Wedson’s chart draws a direct line from gold’s reversal into Bitcoin’s own decline. His point is not that both assets move tick for tick during crashes, but that Bitcoin often reacts more abruptly during the late stages of gold’s weakness. Bitcoin does not lead during gold’s distribution phase, but it reacts to it and reacts violently. The speed of Bitcoin’s price movements means that the final stages of gold’s current decline, which may not yet be complete, carry outsized risk for the leading cryptocurrency. According to the analyst, the real opportunity for a Bitcoin rally begins only when gold’s distribution phase is close to ending and capital starts rotating back into risk assets like Bitcoin. However, that process would not be a quick handoff. In his view, the transition may take months, and the full effect might not become obvious until late 2026. At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at $68,796, down by 2.6% in the past 24 hours. However, recent price action shows Bitcoin beginning to outperform gold , with the BTC/Gold pair on TradingView rising by 3.68% in the past 24 hours. BITCOIN/GOLD. Source: TradingView Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
22 Mar 2026, 12:40
Why Bitcoin matters: a guide to its significance and impact
Most people think Bitcoin is just another investment vehicle or digital money alternative. But Bitcoin represents something far more transformative: a fundamental shift in how we think about money, trust, and financial freedom. It challenges centuries-old assumptions about centralized control and offers solutions to problems that traditional finance cannot address. This guide explores Bitcoin's technology, scarcity model, investment characteristics, societal impact, and the real challenges it faces, helping you understand why Bitcoin matters beyond the headlines. Key Takeaways PointDetailsTrustless digital cashBitcoin uses a peer to peer network and proof of work to timestamp transactions, enabling trustless digital cash without central intermediaries.Scarcity and digital goldBitcoin's supply is capped at 21 million coins and halving events reduce new supply roughly every four years, creating predictable scarcity like digital gold.Censorship resistance and opennessThe decentralized network allows transactions without a central authority and resists blocking payments on a technical level.Volatility and riskBitcoin has delivered high returns but with extreme price swings that create significant portfolio risk. How Bitcoin solves fundamental problems in digital cash Before Bitcoin, creating digital cash seemed impossible. The double-spending problem plagued every attempt: how do you prevent someone from copying digital money and spending it twice? Traditional solutions required trusted intermediaries like banks to maintain ledgers and verify transactions. Bitcoin changed everything. Bitcoin solves the double-spending problem through a peer-to-peer network using proof-of-work to timestamp transactions into a blockchain. Instead of trusting a central authority, thousands of independent computers verify every transaction. Miners compete to solve complex mathematical puzzles, and the winner adds a new block of transactions to the permanent record. This process makes altering past transactions computationally impractical. The blockchain acts as an immutable ledger that everyone can verify but no one controls. Each block references the previous one, creating an unbreakable chain of transaction history. When you send Bitcoin, the network confirms that you own those coins and haven't spent them elsewhere. No bank approval needed. No business hours. No geographic restrictions. This trustless system delivers powerful benefits: Financial transactions without intermediaries reducing fees and delays Censorship resistance since no central authority can block payments Transparency through a public ledger anyone can audit Security from cryptographic protection and distributed consensus Pro Tip: Understanding Bitcoin's proof-of-work mechanism helps explain why it consumes energy. The computational difficulty is not a bug but a feature that secures the network against attacks. The implications extend beyond payments. Bitcoin demonstrates that strangers across the world can coordinate and maintain a shared truth without trusting each other or a central party. This breakthrough enables new forms of digital property and financial sovereignty. For investors exploring bitcoin portfolio growth and stability , understanding this technological foundation clarifies why Bitcoin commands value beyond speculation. "Bitcoin is the first practical solution to a longstanding problem in computer science called the Byzantine Generals Problem. It allows multiple parties to agree on a shared state without trusting any single party." Bitcoin's scarcity and its role as digital gold Bitcoin's monetary policy is radically different from fiat currencies. The protocol caps total supply at exactly 21 million coins, enforced by mathematics rather than promises. New bitcoins enter circulation through mining rewards, but these rewards halve approximately every four years in events called halvings. The next halving occurs in 2028, reducing the block reward from 3.125 to 1.5625 bitcoins. This predictable scarcity model creates digital gold with properties of neutrality, resilience, and independence from political interference. Gold's supply grows roughly 1.5% annually through mining. Bitcoin's current inflation rate sits below 1% and continues declining. By 2032, over 99% of all bitcoins will exist, making new supply negligible. AssetAnnual Supply GrowthTotal Supply CapPolitical ControlBitcoin0.8% (declining)21 millionNoneGold1.5%UnknownLimitedUS DollarVariableUnlimitedFederal ReserveEuroVariableUnlimitedECB Historical returns reflect this scarcity premium. Bitcoin has delivered annualized returns exceeding 100% over its lifetime, though with extreme volatility. Gold returned roughly 8% annually over the past two decades. Fiat currencies lose purchasing power through inflation, with the dollar declining 2-3% yearly in real terms. Pro Tip: Bitcoin's divisibility to eight decimal places means scarcity doesn't limit usability. One bitcoin equals 100 million satoshis, allowing microtransactions. Bitcoin's neutrality stems from its decentralized architecture. No government can print more bitcoins or seize them without private keys. No central bank can manipulate supply to achieve policy goals. This independence appeals to investors seeking assets uncorrelated with traditional financial systems. Understanding bitcoin price drivers reveals how scarcity interacts with demand cycles. The digital gold narrative also emphasizes portability and resistance to confiscation. Moving a billion dollars in Bitcoin requires only a private key, memorizable as 12 words. Gold requires physical transport and security. Bitcoin's divisibility allows precise transactions impossible with physical gold. These properties position Bitcoin as a superior store of value for the digital age, though critics question whether digital scarcity truly replicates gold's millennia-long track record. The investment profile: volatility, correlations, and safe-haven debate Bitcoin's investment characteristics defy simple categorization. Price swings of 20% in a single day aren't unusual. This volatility stems from relatively thin markets, speculative sentiment, regulatory news, and technological developments. Traditional assets like stocks or bonds rarely experience such dramatic moves. Bitcoin exhibits high volatility driven by investor sentiment but shows safe-haven traits with negative correlations to some assets and hedges against USD strength. Research reveals complex patterns. During certain periods, Bitcoin correlates positively with risk assets like stocks, rising and falling together. Other times, it moves independently or inversely. Market ConditionBitcoin BehaviorCorrelation PatternRisk-on sentimentRises with stocksPositive correlationUSD weaknessOften strengthensNegative correlationGeopolitical crisisMixed responseVariableInflation concernsSometimes ralliesWeak positive The safe-haven debate centers on whether Bitcoin protects wealth during crises. Evidence is mixed. Bitcoin rallied during 2020's pandemic uncertainty but crashed initially with stocks. It gained during 2022's inflation surge while stocks fell, supporting the inflation hedge thesis. However, it declined in 2022 overall, contradicting safe-haven claims. Tail dependency analysis shows Bitcoin sometimes hedges extreme market moves. When traditional assets crash severely, Bitcoin occasionally maintains value or recovers quickly. This behavior appeals to portfolio managers seeking diversification. Yet consistency remains elusive. Gold demonstrates more reliable safe-haven performance across multiple crises. Investment implications include: High potential returns balanced against significant drawdown risk Diversification benefits from low average correlation with traditional assets Inflation hedge properties that activate inconsistently Liquidity advantages with 24/7 global trading Understanding crypto volatility vs stocks helps investors calibrate position sizing. Most advisors recommend limiting Bitcoin exposure to 1-5% of portfolios given the volatility. Younger investors with longer time horizons may accept higher allocations. The key is recognizing Bitcoin as a speculative asymmetric bet rather than a stable store of value. Bitcoin's societal impact: censorship resistance and financial freedom Bitcoin's most profound impact may be social rather than financial. In authoritarian regimes, governments routinely freeze bank accounts, block transactions, and deny financial services to dissidents. Traditional banking infrastructure enables this control. Bitcoin offers an alternative. Bitcoin enables censorship-resistant transactions , vital for activists in authoritarian regimes facing financial repression, as legacy banking fails in efficiency, safety, and speed. Russian activists after 2022 sanctions, Nigerian protesters during #EndSARS demonstrations, and Venezuelan citizens under hyperinflation have used Bitcoin to preserve wealth and coordinate when banks became weapons against them. The decentralized network makes censorship technically difficult. No single entity can block a transaction. Even if one country bans Bitcoin, the network continues operating globally. Users need only internet access and a wallet. This resilience provides financial lifelines when traditional systems fail. Practical advantages include: Peer-to-peer transfers without intermediary approval or surveillance Cross-border transactions bypassing capital controls Wealth preservation during currency collapse or confiscation Donation channels that governments cannot shut down Pro Tip: Hardware wallets provide maximum security for storing Bitcoin in hostile environments. They keep private keys offline, protected from both hackers and authorities. Bitcoin empowers users with financial sovereignty, meaning complete control over their money. You hold the keys, you own the coins. No bank can freeze your account. No government can seize funds without physical access to your private keys. This property matters little in stable democracies but becomes critical under authoritarianism. Challenges remain. Internet shutdowns can temporarily block access. Most people still need to convert Bitcoin to local currency, creating chokepoints. Blockchain analysis can trace transactions, though privacy tools offer protection. Despite limitations, Bitcoin provides options where none existed before. For those facing financial repression, even imperfect freedom beats no freedom. The crypto market resilience report documents how Bitcoin maintains utility during geopolitical tensions. Challenges and criticisms: energy use, volatility, and illicit activity Bitcoin faces legitimate criticisms that supporters must acknowledge. The proof-of-work mechanism consumes enormous energy. Estimates suggest Bitcoin mining uses roughly 150 terawatt-hours annually, comparable to entire countries like Argentina. Electronic waste from specialized mining hardware adds environmental burden. Critics highlight Bitcoin's massive energy use , e-waste, volatility, and facilitation of crime; empirical data shows correlation with risk assets rather than consistent safe-haven. The environmental critique carries weight. Much mining still relies on fossil fuels, though the percentage using renewable energy has grown. Miners seek cheap electricity, often from hydroelectric or stranded natural gas. Some argue Bitcoin incentivizes renewable development by providing buyers for excess capacity. Others counter that any energy consumption for a speculative asset is wasteful. Crime associations damage Bitcoin's reputation. Early darknet markets like Silk Road used Bitcoin for illegal transactions. Ransomware attacks demand Bitcoin payments. Money laundering operations exploit cryptocurrency's pseudonymity. However, blockchain analysis has improved dramatically. Law enforcement now traces Bitcoin transactions effectively. Studies show illicit activity represents under 1% of Bitcoin volume, far less than cash-based crime. Volatility presents practical obstacles. Businesses struggle to accept payment in an asset that might drop 15% overnight. Employees don't want salaries paid in Bitcoin if purchasing power fluctuates wildly. This volatility undermines Bitcoin's use as everyday currency, relegating it to store of value or speculative investment. Additional challenges include: Scalability limits with roughly 7 transactions per second on-chain Regulatory uncertainty across jurisdictions User experience complexity deterring mainstream adoption Irreversible transactions offering no fraud protection Gold historically outperforms Bitcoin during severe market stress. When investors panic, they flee to traditional safe havens with centuries of track records. Bitcoin's 15-year history provides limited crisis data. The 2008 financial crisis predated Bitcoin, leaving no comparison for its behavior during systemic banking failures. These criticisms don't necessarily negate Bitcoin's utility. Every technology involves tradeoffs. The question is whether Bitcoin's benefits outweigh costs for specific use cases. For activists under financial repression, energy consumption matters less than survival. For speculators, volatility creates profit opportunities. For environmentalists, the energy cost may be unacceptable. Understanding bitcoin portfolio stability insights helps investors weigh these tradeoffs personally. Stay informed with the latest crypto insights Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency landscape evolve rapidly. New developments in scaling solutions, regulatory frameworks, and institutional adoption emerge constantly. Staying current requires reliable sources that bridge technical complexity with practical insights. Crypto Daily delivers expert analysis and strategic guidance for navigating Bitcoin's opportunities and risks. Whether you're tracking crypto news and blockchain updates , exploring crypto trends expert strategies , or seeking smart cryptocurrency tips for beginners , our coverage helps you make informed decisions. The crypto market rewards those who understand both technological foundations and market dynamics. Let Crypto Daily be your trusted guide through Bitcoin's ongoing transformation of finance. Frequently asked questions Is Bitcoin a reliable safe-haven asset? Bitcoin shows some safe-haven characteristics like negative correlation with certain assets and protection against USD weakness, but it lacks the consistency of traditional safe havens like gold. Its high volatility and tendency to correlate with risk assets during some market conditions make it an unreliable crisis hedge. Investors should view Bitcoin as a speculative diversifier rather than a dependable safe haven. Why does Bitcoin's fixed supply matter? The 21 million coin cap ensures scarcity that fiat currencies lack, protecting against inflation from arbitrary money printing. This predictable supply schedule creates a deflationary asset that potentially preserves purchasing power over time, unlike government currencies that lose value through expansion. Fixed supply positions Bitcoin as digital gold with superior scarcity to any physical commodity. How does Bitcoin provide censorship resistance? Bitcoin's decentralized network of thousands of independent nodes validates transactions without central authority that governments can control or coerce. The peer-to-peer architecture means no single entity can block payments, freeze accounts, or deny service. Users with internet access and private keys can transact freely, making Bitcoin vital for financial freedom under authoritarian regimes. What are the main criticisms of Bitcoin's energy use? Bitcoin mining consumes approximately 150 terawatt-hours annually, comparable to entire countries, raising environmental concerns about carbon emissions and e-waste. While renewable energy adoption in mining has increased and some argue Bitcoin incentivizes clean energy development, critics contend that any substantial energy use for a speculative asset is difficult to justify. The debate continues as the network seeks more sustainable solutions. Recommended Bitcoin: Portfolio Growth and Stability - Crypto Daily Why Use Cryptocurrencies: Powerful Benefits - Crypto Daily Why blockchain matters: unlocking trust in 2026 What Is Blockchain and Its Impact on Crypto - Crypto Daily Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
22 Mar 2026, 12:39
Apple and Beijing make tech commitments as Super Micro execs face smuggling charges
Tim Cook quoted a Chinese proverb about planting forests. Premier Li Qiang called China a harbour of stability. Together on a Beijing stage today, the Apple chief and China’s second-most powerful official put on a show of mutual dependence. The setting was the China Development Forum, held each March at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. More than 70 chief executives came, including the heads of UBS and HSBC. China runs the forum every year after its parliament wraps up. It is how Beijing gets its message in front of global business leaders all at once. Li told the roo m Ch ina was a “cornerstone of certainty”. It was a dig at what Beijing sees as an unstable America, now fighting a war with Iran . He did not name the US or Trump directly, but nobody in the room missed the point. George Chen, a partner at the Asia Group consultancy who was there, said it was the most confident he had seen Li speak in years. “China will unswervingly promote high-level opening up to the outside,” Li told the audience, “jointly expanding the global economic and trade pie.” Li also held up Apple by name as a model of supply chain diversification, using it to argue against what he called the weaponization of trade. “If we politicize industrial issues and deliberately weaponize the supply chain, we will only increase costs for various companies and weaken development momentum,” he said. Cook, speaking after Li, kept the same warm tone. He told the audience that innovation, green development and education were “deeply connected” and said Apple was fully committed to its Chinese partners. He praised the country’s developer community and pointed to gains in automation across Apple’s manufacturing network there. Then came the proverb. “A single tree does not make a forest,” Cook said. “Together, I believe we can plant that forest.” $25 billion reasons Apple needs China The warmth is not hard to explain. Apple pulled in $25.5 billion from China in the holiday quarter ending December, a 38% jump from the year before, driven by the latest iPhone and customers moving away from rival brands. Earlier this month, the company cut its App Store commission for Chinese developers from 30% to 25%, bowing to pressure from local regulators. It was not enough for everyone; the Communist Party’s People’s Daily followed up by calling on Apple to do more, accusing the company of “monopolistic” practices. Beijing is also using the forum to sell its five-year economic pla n to 2030 as a foreign investment opportunity. People’s Bank of China governor Pan Gongsheng used a speech today to push back on criticism of Chinese exports . He said the country’s edge comes from economic reforms, a large domestic market and strong supply chains, not government handouts. Without naming the US, he blamed persistent trade deficits in some countries on a global financial system built around a single dominant currency. China’s own trade surplus hit a record $1.2 trillion last year, a number that has put Beijing on the defensive in both Europe and Washington. President Xi Jinping skipped the executive meetings this year, unlike the previous two forums. A sit-down between Xi and Trump that had been penciled in for around April 1 was called off, though Trump is still expected to make the trip to China later in the year. On Saturday evening, vice-premier He Lifeng, the official running trade talks with Washington, hosted a dinner for mostly European executives to walk them through the five-year plan. One person at the dinner said the executives were broadly positive but that Chinese overcapacity and the risks it poses to European industry did come up. Washington goes hard on blocking Nvidia chips from China While Cook and Li were trading pleasantries in Beijing, federal prosecutors in the US were unsealing charges against Wally Liaw, 71, co-founder of server company Super Micro Computer. It shows China’s insatiable demand for American technology that Washington has decided it cannot have. Liaw is accused of helping route $2.5 billion in Nvidia AI servers to Chinese buyers in violation of export control laws. The servers carried chips from Nvidia’s Blackwell line, which Washington bars from sale to China because of their role in training advanced AI systems. Prosecutors say Liaw and associates ran an elaborate operation. Within weeks, $510 million in servers were shipped to China. If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .
