US National Debt Exceeds $38.5 Trillion, Interest Payments Near $1 Trillion
Written by Ohris M. Greyoon, Blockchain & Crypto Expert
Source: Coinmarketcap
Updated: Jan 03 2026- Record National Debt: In January 2026, the US national debt surpassed $38.5 trillion, significantly exceeding the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget's 2030 projections, highlighting the long-term impact of pandemic-era spending on the economy.
- Surging Interest Payments: Annual interest payments on the national debt are approaching $1 trillion, nearly tripling from $345 billion in 2020, which severely constrains federal budgets and underscores the high cost of ongoing borrowing.
- Growth Expectations: The Trump administration suggests that tariffs and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) could alleviate debt burdens, although economists generally believe that reversing the debt trend in the short term is unlikely.
- Tariff Revenue Surge: Tariff revenues have skyrocketed from $7 billion last year to approximately $25 billion, yet this accounts for less than 0.07% of the national debt, illustrating the daunting challenge of addressing the debt crisis.
About the author
Ohris M. Greyoon
Ohris M. Greyoon holds a Master’s in Computer Science from MIT and has 10 years of experience in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency markets. A pioneer in decentralized finance (DeFi) analysis, he leads Intellectia’s Crypto News, offering cutting-edge insights into digital assets.
