Trump Elected and the New Landscape of the Web3 Field

After Trump takes office in the White House again, the relationship between the cryptocurrency and Web3 industry and real politics has entered a new stage. In addition to the fact that some key positions may be held by crypto-friendly individuals on the surface, the influence of some important figures behind the scenes cannot be ignored, among which Peter Thiel is a typical representative.

Peter Thiel is not only a well-known investor and tech entrepreneur but also a low-profile yet highly influential political participant. If a certain well-known tech entrepreneur is the front-stage protagonist of this "Trump deal," then Peter Thiel is more like the strategic mastermind behind the scenes. His influence is ubiquitous and is likely to profoundly affect the discourse and decision-making participation of tech capital in American and even global politics for a considerable period in the future.

J.D. Vance's political rise

In 2011, Peter Thiel criticized society's blind adherence to traditional career paths in a speech, emphasizing that technological innovation should address real problems rather than pursue superficial prosperity. These remarks deeply resonated with the student J.D. Vance, who was present at the time, prompting him to rethink his career planning.

Under the influence of Peter Thiel, J.D. Vance abandoned a traditional legal career and joined Thiel's investment firm to venture into the field of venture capital. During this time, Vance wrote the memoir "Hillbilly Elegy," which details his upbringing in a working-class family. The book quickly became a bestseller after its publication and is regarded as revealing the mindset of Trump supporters.

Interestingly, as Trump's vice president today, Vance initially held a critical attitude toward Trump. However, under the introduction of Peter Thiel, Vance gradually established a connection with Trump. Thiel not only arranged for the two to meet but also provided significant support for Vance's political career, including donating substantial funds to the political action committee supporting Vance.

With Thiel's support, Vance successfully won the election for U.S. Senator from Ohio and became Trump's running mate for vice president. This reflects Thiel's key role in shaping Vance's political career and showcases the influence of certain conservative forces in Silicon Valley on American politics.

Reshuffling of capital power

This year's U.S. presidential election resembles the prelude to a power reshuffle within capitalism. The "new capital," represented by the tech elites of Silicon Valley, is challenging the "old capital," represented by Wall Street, vying for greater discourse power and profit distribution rights.

The rise of the new Silicon Valley elite is no coincidence. Over the past decade, emerging fields represented by AI and cryptocurrency have become the engines of economic growth. These emerging industries emphasize efficiency, innovation, and decentralization, with a common call for "less regulation." From Web3 to AI, "decentralization" and "liberalization" have become their core narratives, and this vision is simple yet appealing: higher technological efficiency, more capital flow, and potentially redefining the rules of wealth creation.

However, this path of liberalization and deregulation will inevitably further strengthen the dominant position of tech giants and capital giants. Technologies such as AI and cryptocurrencies will concentrate wealth more efficiently, accelerating the widening gap between the rich and the poor, while also marginalizing the interests of traditional industry workers, who are part of Trump's base. This inherent contradiction may become a deep-seated driving force for the future social division in the United States.

Key Decisions for the Future

In the long run, whether the American political and economic system can find a balance between "new capital" and "old capital" will directly determine the final outcome of this power reshuffling. For "old capital," they need to adapt more flexibly to the societal changes brought about by new technologies, while also defending their core position in rule-making. For "new capital," they need to persuade a broader society to accept the cost of wealth redistribution that comes with technological expansion.

The outcome of this struggle is not only related to the political and economic landscape of the United States but will also profoundly impact the future direction of global capitalism. A new era characterized by more globalized and technology-driven capital is approaching, and its key lies in how to redefine the distribution patterns of power, resources, and rules.

Cryptocurrency and AI will undoubtedly be the main battlegrounds. The entire crypto space is both a symbol of decentralized finance and capital liberalization, as well as a key leverage for tech capital to counter traditional finance and reshape the rules.

The future is full of opportunities, whether in AI, cryptocurrencies, or other emerging fields, their core narratives remain attractive: freedom, efficiency, and innovation. This process will also test whether all parties can find a compromise amid conflicting interests.

From "Trump trades" to Peter Thiel's behind-the-scenes maneuvering, what we see is not just an election, but a contest over the future rules. This is destined to be a profound struggle over resources, power, and rules.