US Debt and Cryptocurrency: Putin’s Advisor Warns of Washington’s $35 Trillion Strategy

A top Putin aide has claimed Washington may use cryptocurrencies and gold to restructure its $35 trillion debt. Could this reshape global finance?

The United States’ ballooning national debt has once again become the subject of geopolitical debate. Anton Kobyakov, a senior advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has alleged that Washington is preparing to use cryptocurrencies and the gold market to reset its $35 trillion debt burden. His remarks at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok come as both crypto and gold play a larger role in discussions about the future of global finance.

The Scale of America’s Debt Problem

The U.S. national debt has surpassed $35 trillion in 2025, the largest in the world. This massive figure reflects decades of government borrowing and obligations, owed to foreign governments, institutional investors, and American citizens through Treasury securities.

The debt has been fueled by:

  • Years of persistent budget deficits

  • Massive stimulus packages during crises

  • Rising military commitments

  • Long-term entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare

While policymakers argue that the debt is sustainable because of the dollar’s global reserve status, rising interest rates are making repayments more costly. At the same time, investor confidence in America’s fiscal discipline is showing signs of strain.

Kobyakov’s Warning: Rewriting the Rules

Kobyakov’s remarks suggested that Washington intends to “rewrite the rules” of gold and cryptocurrency markets to manage its debt. He alleged that the U.S. is positioning these assets as alternatives to the traditional global currency system.

According to him, the plan could involve converting parts of U.S. debt into stablecoins, effectively diluting obligations and starting from scratch. While such a strategy is controversial and logistically complex, the idea points to growing unease over reliance on the dollar.

Kobyakov framed this as a response to declining trust in the dollar, arguing that global markets should prepare for turbulence if Washington follows this path.

US Debt and Cryptocurrency: A New Narrative

Linking national debt with crypto and gold may sound extreme, but it reflects a growing narrative. Cryptocurrencies are no longer viewed as fringe tools. Instead, they are becoming instruments of global financial competition.

Gold, meanwhile, has re-emerged as a safe-haven asset for central banks. The combination of both creates a symbolic alternative to the dollar’s dominance. For Russia, highlighting this possibility underscores its push for de-dollarization, even as the U.S. explores regulation of stablecoins and debates the future of a digital dollar.

How Realistic Is This Strategy?

Critics argue that converting trillions of dollars of debt into crypto is unrealistic. The Treasury market is too large and too embedded in global finance to be replaced suddenly.

Still, there are elements worth watching. The U.S. government has shown growing interest in digital assets, from stablecoin oversight to ongoing research into central bank digital currencies. Central banks worldwide are also accumulating gold at the fastest pace in decades. Together, these trends suggest that while a radical reset is unlikely, incremental integration of crypto and gold into U.S. financial strategy is possible.

Global Implications

If Washington were to use crypto or gold in managing its debt, the effects could ripple across markets. Key implications include:

  • Investor confidence in U.S. Treasuries could weaken, raising borrowing costs.

  • Emerging markets might increase their gold holdings to hedge against dollar volatility.

  • Cryptocurrencies could gain legitimacy as part of sovereign financial strategies.

  • Geopolitical divides may widen, with rivals like Russia and China pushing harder for non-dollar trade systems.

For investors, these dynamics mean U.S. fiscal management is no longer just a domestic matter—it is tied to emerging technologies and global power shifts.

The Bigger Picture

Whether or not Kobyakov’s warning is accurate, the conversation highlights an important reality: debt management tools are evolving. Traditional bonds and fiscal policy remain central, but crypto and gold are now part of the equation.

By connecting US debt and cryptocurrency, Kobyakov has amplified a narrative that will not fade quickly. Even if Washington has no immediate plan to restructure obligations through digital assets, the mere suggestion shows how financial innovation and geopolitics are becoming inseparable.

Conclusion

Kobyakov’s comments reflect political posturing, but they also underscore a deeper truth. The world is increasingly questioning the dollar’s dominance as America’s debt grows to unprecedented levels. By raising the possibility of crypto and gold as lifelines, the debate signals that financial innovation could become a tool of geopolitical strategy.

For markets, the risk lies less in a sudden debt reset and more in how global rivals interpret U.S. moves. The fusion of US debt and cryptocurrency into this conversation ensures that investors, policymakers, and institutions will watch closely as the next chapter of global finance unfolds.