US Defense confirms secret Bitcoin programs for strategic leverage against China

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed that the Pentagon runs classified Bitcoin programs focused on both enabling and countering the technology to gain strategic advantages, particularly against China. INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo confirmed the US Indo-Pacific Command operates a live Bitcoin node and tests the protocol in real-world scenarios, highlighting Bitcoin's role in cybersecurity and military strategy. This marks the first official acknowledgment of Bitcoin as a national security tool by a sitting Defense Secretary, reflecting its growing importance amid global geopolitical tensions involving China, Russia, and Iran. The US continues to leverage Bitcoin mining geography and operational use to maintain a strategic edge in national security contexts.