U.S. Military Operates Bitcoin Node to Test National Security Applications

On April 23, The Block reported that Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, stated that the U.S. government is operating a node on the Bitcoin network as part of military tests related to cybersecurity and cyber defense. During a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, Paparo responded to Texas Republican Congressman Lance Gooden’s questions about the national security implications of Bitcoin, saying, “We are currently in an experimental phase, and we are running a node on the Bitcoin network, not for mining, but for monitoring and conducting various operational tests, using the Bitcoin protocol to secure and protect networks.” Paparo made it clear that the military’s interest is technical in nature. He told the lawmakers that the value of Bitcoin for U.S. combat forces lies in “cryptography, blockchain, and reusable proof of work” as tools that can enhance cybersecurity and power projection. He stated, “From a military application perspective, my interest in Bitcoin is as a computer science tool.”