Is Cryptocurrency a Threat to U.S. National Security?

Cryptocurrency adoption has increased considerably over the last couple of years, with more investors seeing them as an alternative asset class. However, several governments, including the Biden administration, are looking to regulate cryptos. Are cryptos really a national security threat?

Cryptocurrency volatility has cost investors billions of dollars. Could digital assets be just as risky to a nation?

Crypto bulls argue that fiat currencies are losing their value as central banks are printing massive amounts of money. They also see cryptos as a store of value and possible medium of exchange in the future. El Salvador has already started to accept Bitcoin as legal tender.

The SWIFT transfers that banks currently use have several drawbacks, making it easier to transfer money to someone using cryptocurrency, especially across borders. Furthermore, cryptocurrency offers anonymity—though this feature poses a national security challenge for some.

Those concerned about cryptocurrencies' security mainly question why someone with legitimate money would want to hold it anonymously. Also, anonymous financial transactions have historically been associated with criminal activity.

Although Berkshire Hathaway vice chairman Charlie Munger was criticized when he said that cryptos are the preferred transaction medium for criminals, events such as the Colonial Pipeline attack (whose perpetrators were paid in Bitcoin) show that he may have a point.

There's also the matter of cryptocurrencies' impact on fiat currencies. The U.S. dollar has acted as a reserve global currency for decades, going hand in hand with U.S. national power. If Bitcoin were to replace the dollar as a store of value, there could be ramifications for U.S. national security as well as global order.

Over the years, the U.S. has used financial sanctions as a tool against adversaries. With cryptocurrencies, financial transactions would be more difficult to track, making sanctions harder to maintain.

The growing popularity of cryptocurrencies also reduces central banks' ability to manage monetary policy. As James A. Garfield said, “He who controls the money supply of a nation controls the nation.” Whereas crypto bulls might celebrate central banks' loss of power, banks would also less capacity to address any distress. And with less control comes less security.

Considering these factors, it's no wonder the Biden administration is contemplating an executive order to study cryptocurrencies' national security and financial stability. The end game would inevitably be regulation.