At a recent House Armed Services Committee hearing, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth confirmed that the Department views Bitcoin as a strategic asset for power projection. The confirmation comes after a series of revelations from top military officials about the use of Bitcoin nodes to secure and protect networks.
Congressman Lance Gooden, a long-time champion for cryptocurrency, asked Hegseth about the Department's stance on Bitcoin during the hearing. Hegseth replied that he was a 'long enthusiast' of Bitcoin and its potential, and that classified efforts within the department were providing the US with leverage in various scenarios.
Gooden's question highlighted the growing importance of cryptocurrency in national security, as countries like China are believed to be stockpiling substantial holdings. The use of Bitcoin nodes by top military officials has also been seen as a strategic move to secure networks and combat digital authoritarianism.