Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies "are perfectly suited" for intelligence activities, said the deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Michael Ellis, in a podcast with Professional Capital Management CEO Anthony Pompliano. Additionally, he stated that the CIA uses Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies as a tool to combat U.S. adversaries.
Michael Ellis was appointed deputy director of the CIA in February 2025 by President Donald Trump. At that time, Trump called Ellis a "smart and respected lawyer" who would help restore the effectiveness of the intelligence agency. During Trump's first term, Ellis worked on the National Security Council at the White House and, according to Trump, helped expose abuses by the Obama administration in the "Russian meddling" case, which Trump called a fabrication.
American law enforcement is "thrilled" at the possibility of using Bitcoin to track criminal activity, noted Ellis. The CIA itself, according to him, perceives Bitcoin similarly due to the ability to track transactions. He confirmed that the CIA regularly works with law enforcement to monitor illegal crypto payments.
Bitcoin for Intelligence
Cryptocurrency is "another area of technological competition" in which the U.S. must not fall behind, Ellis explained, emphasizing that the administration of President Donald Trump must not allow a lag behind China and other adversaries in technology.
During the election campaign, Trump noted the role of cryptocurrencies in the confrontation between major powers.
"If we don't do it, China will. If we don't do it, we won't be the largest," Trump stated in the context of the intention to make the U.S. the largest crypto hub in the world.
Referring to the potential of cryptocurrencies, Ellis noted the enormous potential for application by law enforcement and intelligence agencies to track the actions of adversaries and destabilize them. He also emphasized that the CIA uses these technologies as yet another tool in the arsenal for combating U.S. adversaries.
In addition to cryptocurrencies and Bitcoin being excellent tools for law enforcement and intelligence, Ellis is convinced that the crypto market is firmly rooted in the global financial system.
"Bitcoin will remain. Cryptocurrencies will remain. More and more institutions are adopting them. I think this is a great trend," he stated.
The CIA's role in the creation of Bitcoin
Notably, the comments and opinion of the CIA representative regarding Bitcoin were voiced in a podcast on the anniversary of the disappearance of Bitcoin's anonymous creator Satoshi Nakamoto. 14 years ago, on April 26, 2011, Satoshi stopped publishing messages in personal correspondence and thematic forums where the main cryptocurrency was discussed.
In one of his last messages on April 23, 2011, Satoshi wrote that he "switched to other things and that Bitcoin is in good hands with Gavin and everyone else."
Gavin Andreesen is an American developer who has been involved in the development of Bitcoin since 2010. In 2011, Satoshi himself called him the lead developer of Bitcoin Core (Bitcoin software).
On April 27, 2011, Andreesen publicly announced that he planned to give a presentation on Bitcoin at CIA headquarters in June at a conference on new technologies for the U.S. intelligence community. Bitcoin "is already on their radar," he wrote, justifying his decision.
At the same conference, Andreesen even managed to sell some Bitcoin to a CIA agent, according to a quote from Blockworks: "Later, a few people came up to me and said that Bitcoin is really cool. One interesting case: I actually sold Bitcoins to one of the CIA people."
Many speculate that the very fact that Andreesen was invited to speak at the CIA could have influenced Satoshi's decision to cease public activity. At that time, a theory emerged that Bitcoin is indeed a CIA project.
Journalist Tucker Carlson, during a closed panel discussion at the Bitcoin 2024 conference, gave it new momentum in the summer of 2024. "It's obvious that this is the CIA, we all understand this. It's like [messenger] Signal, they got there first. It's a trap!" he stated from the stage, while clarifying that cryptocurrency is "the best tool in the world for ensuring financial sovereignty."
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