Bitcoin also needs to step into the diplomatic front! The BTC Policy Institute becomes a founding partner of the State Department’s Digital Freedom Initiative

Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI) officially became one of the founding partners of the U.S. Department of State’s “Freedom of Technology Excellence Program.” Employees will directly work alongside diplomats at the State Department, handling key issues such as digital freedom, privacy-enhancing technology, and AI governance.
(Background: the full text of the “U.S. Bitcoin Strategic Reserve” executive draft—managing BTC as a permanent national asset)
(Additional context: Trump’s setup of a cryptocurrency advisory committee, which will help establish a U.S. Bitcoin reserve)

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• What is the Freedom of Technology Excellence Program (FTEP)?
• How did Bitcoin Policy Institute get on the U.S. Department of State train?
• From behind the scenes to the diplomatic front lines: a new phase for cryptocurrency policy

Bitcoin Policy Institute (Bitcoin Policy Institute, BPI) announced on Friday that the organization has become one of the founding partners of the U.S. Department of State’s “Freedom of Technology Excellence Program.” This means Bitcoin will officially move from behind-the-scenes policy advocacy into the diplomatic front lines.

According to BPI’s announcement on X, the organization will join the FTEP program together with Palantir Technologies, Anduril Industries, and the Communist Memorial Foundation as three partners. Employees will enter the State Department on a limited-term assignment, working side by side with diplomats on key issues including digital freedom, privacy-enhancing technologies, countering digital surveillance, and AI governance.

What is the Freedom of Technology Excellence Program (FTEP)?

In an official statement, the U.S. Department of State said the goal of FTEP is “to advance diplomatic efforts for digital freedom and freedom of expression.” The program supports the work of regional U.S. embassies and the Washington headquarters through short-term appointments by bringing in talent from the private sector.

The specific topics covered include:

• Online freedom of expression
• Privacy-enhancing technologies
• Countering digital surveillance
• Responsible AI governance

How did Bitcoin Policy Institute get on the U.S. Department of State train?

Founded in 2021, BPI positions itself as a “nonpartisan research and advocacy organization.” Since its establishment, the organization has been actively pushing legislative efforts to incorporate Bitcoin into the United States’ national strategy, including supporting the executive order signed by President Trump in March 2025, which calls for the creation of a strategic cryptocurrency reserve.

However, as of now, the U.S. Congress has not yet completed the relevant legislative process. The FTEP program can be seen as a new channel for BPI to expand its influence—not only lobbying in Washington, but directly sending personnel into the State Department’s core decision-making circle.

From behind the scenes to the diplomatic front lines: a new phase for cryptocurrency policy

This is not the first time the U.S. government has recruited private-sector forces to push forward digital policy. In December 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury released an executive draft for the Bitcoin strategic reserve, explicitly positioning BTC as a “permanent national asset.” The FTEP program further elevates digital freedom into diplomatic priorities, showing that cryptocurrency has moved from a market trend to a national strategic topic.

BPI’s entry also reflects a broader trend: cryptocurrency is no longer simply a financial instrument, but part of international digital competition and diplomatic maneuvering. With Palantir relying on data analytics, Anduril on defense technology, and BPI on Bitcoin policy, four organizations from different fields entering the same program indicates that the U.S. Department of State is redefining the strategic blueprint of “digital freedom” in a multidimensional way.