China’s state media has intensified its criticism of Nvidia’s H20 artificial intelligence chips, alleging potential security vulnerabilities and dismissing them as neither technologically advanced nor environmentally friendly.

The latest remarks, published Sunday on Yuyuan Tantian, a social media account affiliated with state broadcaster CCTV, come days after Beijing formally questioned the U.S. semiconductor giant over alleged “backdoor” risks.

The H20 chips—specifically designed for the Chinese market after the U.S. government imposed sweeping export restrictions on high-performance AI processors in late 2023—have become a lightning rod in the broader tech and trade standoff between Washington and Beijing.

Security Allegations and Beijing’s Official Probe

On July 31, China’s Cyberspace Administration summoned Nvidia executives for a closed-door meeting, demanding an explanation over concerns that the H20 chips could contain hidden hardware mechanisms enabling remote shutdown or unauthorized access—so-called “backdoors” that bypass normal security protocols. Such vulnerabilities, if proven, could theoretically allow foreign actors to disrupt AI systems or siphon sensitive data without detection.

Nvidia has repeatedly denied the allegations, stating both in July and again on Sunday that its products contain no such backdoors. The company maintains that the H20 chips were engineered to comply with U.S. export controls while meeting Chinese market needs, and that all of its hardware undergoes rigorous security testing.

Yuyuan Tantian’s post, published on the popular WeChat platform, struck a tone blending consumer caution with political signaling: “When a type of chip is neither environmentally friendly, nor advanced, nor safe, as consumers, we certainly have the option not to buy it.”

The post also claimed the chips could enable “remote shutdown” capabilities via hardware-level vulnerabilities, echoing growing security concerns in Beijing. The criticism follows a similar call from People’s Daily earlier this month, which urged Nvidia to provide “convincing security proofs” if it hoped to restore Chinese consumer confidence.

A Chip Born of Political Compromise

The H20 was born out of an awkward compromise. In April, the Trump administration banned its export to China over national security concerns, but President Donald Trump reversed the ban in July following high-level talks with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Licenses to sell the chip in China were subsequently granted—albeit under an unprecedented condition that Nvidia must pay 15% of its H20 revenue from Chinese sales to the U.S. government, a first in American export control history.

Implications for the U.S.–China AI Arms Race

Beijing’s latest accusations appear aimed at undermining the H20’s credibility in the domestic market while reinforcing China’s push for indigenous semiconductor development. Industry analysts say the criticism is not only about the chip’s technical merits but also part of a broader narrative to cast U.S.-made AI hardware as unreliable or compromised, mirroring U.S. rhetoric against Chinese telecom and technology companies in past years.

Washington’s export restrictions have already triggered a reshuffling in China’s semiconductor industry, with domestic players like Huawei’s Ascend chips and startups such as Biren Technologies racing to fill the gap. Analysts warn that if China blacklists the H20, it could accelerate local chip self-reliance — the very outcome U.S. trade policy sought to slow.

This backdrop makes the stakes higher for Nvidia. China is both a major revenue source and a politically sensitive market, and any sustained consumer backlash could erode its position just as Washington is using export controls and licensing deals to limit Beijing’s AI capabilities.

The H20 chip has become more than a piece of silicon—it is now a symbol of how technology, economics, and national security are being negotiated in real time between the world’s two largest economies, especially as U.S.–China trade talks resume.

As the crypto market prepares for its next rally, attention is shifting toward projects showing strong growth potential. While some major coins have already peaked, others are building momentum, and the top performing cryptos right now are gaining attention across the market.

From regulatory progress to real-world adoption and viral meme traction, each of these cryptos is making moves that matter. Whether the focus is on utility, trend momentum, or technical signals, this list features four projects showing clear upward movement: BlockDAG, XRP, Sui, and PENGU.

With price floors forming and sentiment turning bullish, these picks could be ready for the next leg up. For those planning ahead for 2025, these are the top performing cryptos to keep in view before they capture wider attention.

BlockDAG (BDAG): Rising ROI Opportunity in Final Presale Phase

BlockDAG (BDAG) is drawing notice with one of the most notable presale runs of recent years. Priced at $0.0276, it has a confirmed listing target of $0.05 later this year. This has positioned BDAG as a standout in current market discussions.

The figures reinforce its momentum: over $370 million raised, 25 billion coins sold, and more than 200,000 active holders. Beyond numbers, BlockDAG is adding practical features. Its Demo Trading Dashboard lets users test strategies before the official launch.

With 2.5 million app users through the X1 mobile miner and 19,000 ASIC miners sold, BlockDAG (BDAG) is building as a functioning Layer 1 ecosystem. As the presale nears completion, BDAG remains firmly in the conversation among the top-performing cryptos before its price floor increases.

XRP (Ripple): Legal Clarity Drives Fresh Market Surge

XRP has stepped out from under the weight of its long-running SEC case with renewed strength. After the SEC dropped its appeal and agreed to a $125 million settlement, XRP climbed 11%, signaling a wave of bullish sentiment.

This resolution removes a key source of uncertainty and positions XRP among the top performing cryptos, especially appealing to major market participants. On the charts, XRP is holding near $3.30 with resistance close to $3.34. A breakout above this level could open the door for more gains in a market seeking assets with regulatory certainty and a proven cross-border payment role.

Broader economic factors, including expected interest rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve, are adding momentum to XRP’s rise, aligning technical and fundamental drivers. For those seeking stability with upside potential, XRP remains a strong contender.

Sui (SUI): Banking Partnership Fuels Price Breakout

Sui (SUI) has earned its place among the top performing cryptos with a mix of technical strength and institutional recognition. Its integration with Swiss bank Sygnum, offering custody, staking, and trading, triggered an 8.6% price rise. The project now holds a market cap above $13 billion, supported by a notable jump in trading volume.

From a technical view, SUI has broken out of a falling-wedge pattern and is targeting levels near $4.58. It is also benefiting from the Layer 1 sector rotation, as market players look for high-capacity platforms with less crowding than Ethereum or Solana.

With growing capital inflows and strong real-world partnerships, Sui is positioning itself for continued gains. For those narrowing their focus on the top performing cryptos, Sui’s blend of adoption and technical setup stands out.

PENGU (Pudgy Penguins): Meme Energy Meets Market Strength

PENGU, tied to the Pudgy Penguins NFT brand, is proving that meme coins can deliver more than short bursts of hype. Trading near $0.0374, it has generated over $660 million in daily volume and climbed more than 150% in the past month.

The token’s vibrant community, rising liquidity, and cultural pull are helping it secure a spot among the most notable meme projects this cycle. Weekly gains of 12% show steady buyer engagement from both retail traders and large holders.

While it lacks the complex architecture of Layer 1 blockchains, its reliable performance and strong community presence make PENGU one of the top performing cryptos to watch, especially for those following sentiment-driven trends with high visibility.

Final Takeaway

With the market entering a new growth phase, participants are once again searching for value, momentum, and fresh narratives. BlockDAG stands out with its presale success, functional tools, and reward system that strengthens community participation. XRP benefits from legal clarity and bullish technicals. Sui offers high-profile financial integration and strong chart patterns. PENGU taps into cultural and trading momentum.

Each brings a unique advantage, yet all share a common thread of strong interest and upward movement. For those preparing for the next bullish leg, these four should be at the forefront of any shortlist.

As trends shift quickly, the most strategic moves happen before the majority catches on. Keep these top performing cryptos in focus and be ready while prime opportunities remain.