- CIA Deputy Director Michael Ellis says Bitcoin is now a national security priority, helping track adversaries and aiding intelligence operations.
- He affirms that Bitcoin is here to stay as global adoption and institutional interest continue to grow.
Bitcoin has officially entered the realm of national defense. According to Deputy CIA Director Michael Ellis, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency is increasingly integrating Bitcoin into its operations—not just as a technological curiosity, but as a critical tool for counterintelligence and law enforcement.
Speaking on Anthony Pompliano’s investor show, Ellis emphasized the strategic importance of cryptocurrencies. “There is tremendous potential for the law enforcement and intelligence community to be able to use [Bitcoin],” he said. Far from being an enemy of the state, Bitcoin is proving to be an asset in tracking the financial movements of U.S. adversaries.
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Ellis likened Bitcoin to any other advanced technology, saying it’s “a tool in the toolbox” that must be prioritized. He stressed the importance of the U.S. maintaining leadership in the crypto space, especially amid rising global competition. “We need to ensure the United States is well-positioned against China and other adversaries,” he stated.
Global adoption is accelerating, with over 500 million users worldwide. Nations like El Salvador, the UAE, and Switzerland have embraced crypto, while others, including China and India, impose strict regulations or heavy taxes. Meanwhile, U.S. policy remains fragmented, with restrictions on using government funds to purchase Bitcoin and ongoing political division on crypto’s future.
Despite its criminal history, Ellis argued that banning crypto for that reason is shortsighted. “Criminals use all kinds of tools. That doesn’t mean we ban those tools,” he said. He also pushed back against the notion that Bitcoin offers anonymity, clarifying that it leaves a trail that law enforcement can follow.
As the crypto market rebounds—climbing 3.85% to reach a $3 trillion market cap and sending Bitcoin over the $97,000 mark—Ellis concluded with a clear message: “Bitcoin is here to stay.” With institutional adoption rising and governments racing to establish regulatory frameworks, the world is no longer debating whether crypto belongs. The only question now is who will lead.