The United States Senate Committee on Armed Services has taken significant steps toward integrating blockchain technology into national defense strategies.
The committee instructed Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to investigate blockchain’s potential applications in improving supply chain management and other crucial areas of national security within the Department of Defense. This directive was part of the fiscal year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) report released on July 9.
The committee underscored the potential of blockchain technology to enhance data integrity and mitigate data manipulation risks, while also strengthening defense supply chain resilience against near-peer competitors.
The committee also requested that the DOD create pilot programs or research projects examining the potential applications of blockchain technology in supply chain management, procurement auditability, and cybersecurity for vital infrastructure.
These efforts aim to leverage blockchain’s cryptographic integrity to secure, transparent, accountable, and auditable data crucial for national security objectives.
Secretary Austin is expected to deliver a comprehensive briefing on these initiatives by April 1, 2025. The blockchain briefing must outline plans for pilot programs or research efforts to explore how blockchain technology can be used in national security applications, such as enhancing supply chain management, cybersecurity for critical infrastructure, and ensuring procurement auditability.
Other key aspects include assessing the advantages and risks of blockchain in supply chain tracking, analyzing its current adoption in global supply chains (including China and Russia), and estimating feasibility and costs.
US lawmakers are increasingly advocating for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. A July 8 update to the campaign website of Republican Party presidential nominee Donald Trump states that the Republican National Committee passed a draft program that includes support for Bitcoin mining and cryptocurrency.
As these developments unfold, the intersection of blockchain technology and national security policy marks a pivotal moment in U.S. defense strategy and cryptocurrency advocacy, setting the stage for potential transformative impacts across both sectors shortly.
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