According to Cointelegraph: Major Jason Lowery of the US Space Force has called for a formal exploration of proof-of-work (PoW) networks like Bitcoin for national defense. Lowery argues that these networks should be a priority, as they have the potential to protect the US from cyber warfare.
Lowery signaled this stance in a four-page letter to the US Defense Innovation Board on Dec. 2, where he stressed that Bitcoin's strength extends beyond being a simple monetary system. He asserted that Bitcoin could secure all types of data, command signals, or messages, and warned against underestimating Bitcoin's expanded strategic significance for cybersecurity and by extension, national security.
He also urged the board, which seeks to bring Silicon Valley innovation and best practices to the US Military, to advise the Secretary of Defense to research the "national strategic importance" of PoW systems like Bitcoin.
In his letter, Lowery stated that PoW systems akin to Bitcoin can deter cyberattacks from enemies due to physical resource-intensive costs, mirroring how military assets deter physical attacks.
Pointing to Bitcoin's extensive potential cybersecurity applications, Lowery mentioned that it could be crucial for the US to maintain its global leadership position, particularly in a world growing increasingly digital and facing numerous security threats. He suggested Bitcoin might be the catalyst for a "cybersecurity revolution."
Meanwhile, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong posted on X, asserting that Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies could be critical in helping the US maintain its dominance and complement the US dollar rather than displacing it. He mentioned that it's better to transition from dollars to cryptocurrencies than another country's fiat currency if the US dollar loses its dominance. Armstrong noted that US dollar-backed stablecoins and the rise of flat coins will play a "major role in unifying these worlds."
