In a significant geopolitical shift, China is poised to extend its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) into Europe in 2024, solidifying its influence on the continent. With recent trade agreements signed with Azerbaijan and Georgia, China is strategically positioning itself to strengthen economic ties with South Caucasian nations, marking a pivotal moment in its global trade ambitions.
Expanding China’s Trade Influence
The BRI, launched by President Xi Jinping in 2013, has traditionally focused on enhancing trade connections in Asia and Africa. Now, as China looks to broaden its horizons, the focus is on establishing a robust trade corridor that links Asia with Europe. The latest agreements aim to facilitate infrastructural developments, streamline customs procedures, and improve logistics along this crucial route.
“The signing of the memorandum gives us the opportunity to establish closer trade and economic ties with China,” stated Georgia’s Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development. “It also enables us to attract additional investments and increase the export of Georgian products to China.” This sentiment reflects a growing eagerness among developing nations to engage with China, recognizing the potential economic benefits of the BRI.
A New Corridor for Trade
Azerbaijan and Georgia play a vital role as the Middle Corridor between Asia and Europe, making them key players in China’s strategy. By tapping into this geographic advantage, China aims to enhance its trade relationships, opening up new markets and boosting exports. The BRI’s expansion into Europe represents an evolution of its approach, focusing on deeper integration with European economies.
Critics, however, voice concerns regarding the implications of China’s expanding footprint. The BRI has been criticized for fostering dependency through loans that can lead to financial instability in recipient countries. Nations like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Afghanistan have faced severe economic challenges after failing to repay Chinese loans, raising alarms about the potential pitfalls of participating in the BRI.
Navigating New Challenges
As China moves forward with the BRI in Europe, emerging economies must tread carefully. While the prospect of increased investment and trade is appealing, the historical context of BRI projects underscores the need for vigilance. The situation in Sri Lanka, which experienced a near-economic collapse in 2021, serves as a cautionary tale for nations considering participation in the initiative.
The unfolding dynamics of the BRI in Europe will undoubtedly attract global attention. Observers will be keen to see how countries navigate the complex balance of economic growth and financial sovereignty. The real question remains: will the BRI enhance economic development, or will it further entrench financial dependency on China?
As 2024 approaches, the stakes are high for all parties involved. China’s ambition to reshape global trade through the BRI is clear, but its long-term implications for Europe and beyond are yet to be fully realized. The expansion of the Belt and Road Initiative may indeed signal a new era of trade, but it also invites scrutiny and a reevaluation of the costs and benefits of such partnerships.
The coming months will be critical as European nations assess their positions in the evolving landscape of global trade influenced by China’s ambitions. Will they embrace the opportunity, or will they heed the warnings of those who have gone before them? The answers lie ahead as the Belt and Road Initiative unfolds in Europe.
Crypto exchange and motorsport collide as Bitget officially becomes the regional partner for selected Grand Prix events in 2025
Scarperia e San Piero, Italy, 21 June 2025—Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, is teaming up with MotoGP, the highest class of motorcycle road racing events, in a high-octane partnership that merges the breakneck speed of racing with the high-stakes precision of crypto trading. As the newly minted Regional Partner for select Grand Prix events across Europe and Southeast Asia, Bitget is bringing crypto onto the track, and into the fast lane.
Kicking off at the iconic Mugello Circuit during the Italian Grand Prix, the collaboration marks a new era where precision engineering meets algorithmic agility, and where every second, like every trade, has the power to make it count.
Bitget’s partnership will speed across multiple marquee MotoGP events in 2025, including Italy, Germany, Spain, and Indonesia, bringing together fans of motorsport and crypto under one roaring banner of performance, resilience, and speed.
“Racing is a sport of milliseconds; crypto is a market of micro-decisions. This partnership is our way of showing the world that success — on the track or on the charts — comes down to smart moves and fearless execution,” said Gracy Chen, CEO at Bitget.“We’re excited to join MotoGP in putting power, precision, and potential into the hands of every user and every fan.”
At the heart of the campaign is three-time MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo, whose relentless pursuit of perfection makes him a fitting icon for Bitget’s iconic “Make It Count” slogan.
“I’ve always believed that you win races not just on instinct — but by making every lap, every line, every second count. It’s the same mindset Bitget brings to trading, and I’m proud to be part of this story,” said Jorge Lorenzo. “The worlds of MotoGP and crypto aren’t as different as they seem — they both reward those who stay sharp and think fast.”
The campaign features trackside activations, exclusive VIP experiences, and a series of cross-platform digital initiatives. At Mugello, KOLs and media will get behind-the-scenes access to the paddock and rider interactions, blending all the high-octane energy of race weekend, wrapped in a sleek, Bitget-branded experience.
“MotoGP is built on precision, innovation, and high-speed decisions — values that align naturally with Bitget,” agreed MotoGP CCO, Dan Rossomondo.
This collaboration follows Bitget’s headline partnerships with Lionel Messi, Juventus, and LALIGA, reinforcing its track record in bridging the gap between crypto and culture. With over 120 million users globally and a daily trading volume topping $20 billion, Bitget continues to shift the narrative from volatility to victory.
About Bitget
Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 120 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices.
Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a leading non-custodial crypto wallet supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens. It offers multi-chain trading, staking, payments, and direct access to 20,000+ DApps, with advanced swaps and market insights built into a single platform.
Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.
Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.
About MotoGP
Faster. Forward. Fearless. Since 1949, MotoGP has grown into a global sports and entertainment brand with an incredible legacy and an even more exciting future. Each season, the greatest riders from across the globe come together to race the fastest prototype motorcycles on some of the world’s greatest racetracks – creating the most exciting sport on Earth.
A new report from CoinGecko claims that 2025 has been the worst year for dead crypto projects, with 1.8 million tokens collapsing in Q1 alone. This represents 49.7% of all crypto project failures from 2021 to 2025.
CoinGecko’s analysis focused on the concrete data, not establishing proof of the culprit. Still, it hypothesizes that market volatility under Trump’s Presidency is responsible for this extreme failure rate.
CoinGecko’s latest report shows that 2025 has been an exceptional year in this respect. Compared to 2024, there have been fewer token launches and many more crypto project failures in Q1 alone.
Data from CoinMarketCap shows that over 14.65 million different tokens are active right now, and the number has been rising steadily.
One year ago, the site only tracked 2.7 million. The biggest contributor to this growth has been Solana meme coins, as that blockchain’s ecosystem now accounts for more than 60% of all tokens.
Solana Meme Coins on the Rise. Source: CoinMarketCap
Moreover, a glut of project launches can dilute meme coins’ overall market potential, sinking prominent projects due to quality fears and diminishing returns.
CoinGecko also revealed another disturbing fact: by its reckoning, most crypto projects active since 2021 are now dead. It claims that 52.7% of all such tokens have failed and that the failure rate is increasing.
New launches still outweigh collapses, but the trend does not look sustainable.
The report proposes a clear hypothesis for this behavior. CoinGecko believes it credible that Trump’s tariff threats and ensuing recession fears are responsible for these dead crypto projects. Meme coin launches rose dramatically after his election, and market turbulence is killing them off.
To be clear, CoinGecko’s study did not attempt to prove a cause; it just analyzed the failures themselves. Complicated factors may be creating all these dead crypto projects.
Still, it identified the trends, and the hard data is convincing in its own right. The meme coin industry, as currently defined, may not last at this rate.
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is quickly becoming a notable force in the push for global crypto adoption. With growing participation from institutions and enterprises and supportive regulations for Web3 technology, MENA is set to expand its impact.
BeInCrypto interviewed Stephan Apel, CEO of Outlier Ventures, to explore the characteristics of these tech-driven economies and their anticipated innovations.
Web3 Adoption and Market Growth
MENA has emerged as a significant center for Web3 development, facilitated by a combination of demographic, technological, and cultural factors. The region’s entrepreneurial spirit has also fostered an environment conducive to the adoption of decentralized technologies.
“The MENA market has set a standard for adopting next-gen technologies and using them to boost their economic transformation. This is especially true for Web3 technologies— the region recognised their potential early on, offering the resources needed for these projects to scale and thrive on both regional and global levels,” Apel told BeInCrypto.
Consequently, the region is witnessing an increase in startups, investors, and developers exploring Web3 and its diverse applications.
A 2024 Chainalysis report revealed that MENA was the seventh biggest crypto market worldwide. From July 2023 to June 2024, the region saw $338.7 billion in online crypto transactions, representing 7.5% of all crypto transactions globally.
Share of all cryptocurrency transaction value by region. Source: Chainalysis.
Notably, Turkey and Morocco ranked among the top 30 countries globally in crypto adoption. Turkey secured the 11th spot, while Morocco ranked 27th. These nations alone accounted for $137 billion and $12.7 billion in received cryptocurrency value, respectively.
Furthermore, the MENA region’s crypto activity is predominantly driven by institutional and professional players, as a substantial 93% of all value transferred involves transactions exceeding $10,000.
Meanwhile, Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) members have distinguished themselves through their ambitious technological initiatives.
MENA’s Strategic Shift Towards AI
The onset of artificial intelligence (AI) has prompted governments and businesses within the Middle East to acknowledge the global trend towards related advanced technologies. Countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are considering their strategic position concerning this technological transformation.
According to a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy in 2030. The consulting firm predicts that the Middle East will bring 2% of the total global benefits, equal to $320 billion.
MENA’s pioneering role in AI development. Source: PwC.
The PwC report also indicates that Saudi Arabia will see the largest absolute gains from AI by 2030, with an estimated US$135.2 billion added to its economy, or 12.4% of GDP. In terms of GDP percentage, however, the UAE is expected to see the greatest impact, approaching 14% of its 2030 GDP. Meanwhile, for GCC states Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar, AI is expected to contribute 8.2% of their GDP.
Given the region’s latest initiatives and investments in AI innovation, these numbers come as no surprise.
Saudi Arabia’s AI Development Initiatives
In 2016, the Saudi Arabian government launched Vision 2030, a program to promote economic, social, and cultural diversification. Integral to this vision is a strategic shift towards artificial intelligence and data-driven innovation, a key component of the nation’s economic diversification efforts.
Saudi Arabia is making notable advancements in AI. The country aims to reduce its reliance on oil by developing advanced technology sectors through targeted investments, infrastructure development, and workforce training.
“Fueled by its Vision 2030 initiative, Saudi Arabia has already created a thriving startup ecosystem, dedicated significant investment in emerging technologies,and designed policies to attract global talent and entrepreneurship,” Apel told BeInCrypto.
The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) spearheads Saudi Arabia’s push into artificial intelligence, shaping and implementing the country’s national data and AI strategy. The National Data Bank is a cornerstone of their efforts. It is designed as a central hub for data access and analysis, facilitating AI applications across public and private sectors.
Last November, Saudi Arabia also unveiled Project Transcendence. The $100 billion investment initiative focuses on accelerating the integration of AI and advanced technologies.
Similar to its neighbor, the UAE has actively pursued AI adoption.
UAE’s AI Strategy and Investments
In 2017, the UAE launched its National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, which aims to make the country a global leader in the field by 2031. The UAE AI and Blockchain Council oversees this strategy, which impacts sectors like education, energy, and tourism.
The UAE is already reaping the benefits of its AI initiatives. In April, Microsoft announced a $1.5 billion investment in G42, an Abu Dhabi-based technology holding company. G42 is known for its data centers and the development of Jais, a leading Arabic-language AI model.
In September, G42 and Nvidia partnered to create AI-driven solutions for improved weather forecasting. The collaboration aims to advance climate-related technologies by using Nvidia’s Earth-2 platform, which enables AI-augmented climate and weather simulations.
Three months later, Abu Dhabi-based global technological ecosystem Hub71 partnered with Google to boost startup growth in the UAE. This collaboration will bring Google’s “Google for Startups” program to Abu Dhabi, including a dedicated accelerator for Hub71 startups in 2025.
He also drew attention to the planned convergence of AI and Web3 technologies in these prominent regions.
Convergence of AI, Web3, and IoT
Integrating the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and AI technologies is gaining traction among businesses in the Middle East. By combining these technologies, organizations can access new avenues for growth, increase efficiency, and create novel user experiences.
In 2018, the Dubai Airport Freezone Authority launched Dubai Blink, a platform that integrates AI, blockchain, and virtual licenses to facilitate global trade. This system enhances supply chain innovation through ‘smart commerce’ by expediting trade with a unified online platform. Furthermore, it addressed the cumbersome process of supplier identification by using AI algorithms to streamline and accelerate the validation process.
Ultimately, MENA’s proactive approach to technological advancement, coupled with its strategic focus on Web3 and AI, signals a future where the region will be a pivotal architect in shaping the digital economy.
has grown into a global sports and entertainment brand with an incredible legacy and an even more exciting future. Each season, the greatest riders from across the globe come together to race the fastest prototype motorcycles on some of the world’s greatest racetracks – creating the most exciting sport on Earth.
