Could Trade Wars Accelerate Government Adoption of Web3 Technologies?

MetaversePlanet April 15, 2025Last Updated: April 15, 2025

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As global trade tensions escalate, there is growing speculation that governments might increasingly turn to Web3 technologies like blockchain to ensure transparency and compliance in international trade.

On April 2, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a sweeping plan to impose import tariffs, warning of potential retaliation from other nations. While some tariffs were later suspended, especially for select countries, Trump’s continued emphasis on tariffs against China has kept the possibility of a global trade war alive.

Amid this geopolitical uncertainty, some blockchain leaders argue that rising tariffs could serve as a catalyst for governments to adopt blockchain networks. According to Truebit executives, blockchain technology could help enforce these tariffs fairly and transparently.

Federico Kattan, Truebit’s Chief Technology Officer, told Cointelegraph that blockchain provides a powerful solution for offering proof of origin and verifying supply chains. He gave an example where a company could exploit tariff loopholes by assembling and packaging products in low-tariff countries, thereby reducing duties from 58% to just 10%. Blockchain, however, could prevent such manipulation by authenticating the true origin of goods.

Through its immutable public ledger, blockchain enhances supply chain transparency, making it harder for companies to commit fraud—a practice that costs global economies trillions of dollars in import scams.

According to a report from the Tax Foundation, Trump’s tariffs could impact over $2.4 trillion worth of imported goods. As other countries retaliate with their own measures, this number could climb even higher.

Truebit, a blockchain network that allows users to integrate verifiable computation into various applications, is already working with software vendors serving the U.S. government. The company is also participating in an EU-backed project exploring the role of Web3 in global supply chains.

Truebit CEO Jason Teutsch stated, “We are not yet in direct talks with governments, but we are in contact with vendors who aim to work with them. That’s the space we’re targeting.” Founded in 2017, Truebit launched its native token TRU in 2021, which currently holds a fully diluted market cap of around $20 million, according to CoinGecko.

Risks of Trade Wars on Blockchain Networks

Could Trade Wars Accelerate Government Adoption of Web3 Technologies?

However, not all voices in the crypto space are optimistic. Some blockchain executives warn that aggressive tariffs and political hostilities could threaten the integrity, accessibility, and resilience of blockchain networks.

Nicholas Roberts-Huntley, CEO of Concrete & Glow Finance, highlighted that rising trade tensions could severely impact the physical infrastructure of blockchain systems, fragment regulatory frameworks, and lead to user censorship.

He emphasized, “Aggressive trade policies and retaliatory measures can create significant obstacles for node operators, validators, and other key players within blockchain ecosystems.”

As the world faces a new wave of economic nationalism, the clash between traditional trade policies and decentralized technologies could either be a tipping point for adoption—or a challenge to survival—for Web3.