Deputy Director of the CIA, Micheal Jayellis, stated that the CIA views Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as tools that can be used for payments. He emphasized that digital assets are “another tool in the toolbox” and highlighted their utility in the agency's operations.
Jayellis noted that Bitcoin is pseudonymous rather than anonymous, countering common misconceptions. He explained that the CIA collaborates with law enforcement to track illicit crypto transactions made by drug cartels, terrorist groups, and hostile regimes. He also stressed the need for the U.S. to be strategically positioned in the evolving crypto space, particularly in competition with China.
Jayellis described cryptocurrency as a permanent fixture in global finance and expressed approval of growing institutional adoption. He confirmed that the CIA uses digital currencies both for payment and intelligence gathering, framing them as critical technological tools akin to others the agency monitors and utilizes.
He reinforced that the CIA is aligned with President Donald Trump’s agenda, particularly his focus on dismantling drug cartels. According to Jayellis, achieving this goal will require a unified effort across the U.S. government, combining intelligence and law enforcement resources to disrupt criminal networks before they reach American borders.
China as a Strategic Priority
Jayellis also highlighted China as the CIA’s top strategic concern, labeling it the most significant threat to the United States in terms of economic and technological competition. He credited President Trump for being the first U.S. leader to directly confront China’s unfair practices in trade, cybersecurity, and intellectual property theft.
Jayellis criticized past administrations for their policies that enabled China’s rise and stressed the need for a more aggressive stance. He concluded by affirming the CIA's commitment to providing the President with a decisive intelligence advantage, especially regarding adversaries like China, and ensuring U.S. leadership in emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and biotechnology.
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