US Indo-Pacific Command Commander, Admiral Samuel Paparo: Bitcoin is a Strategic Computing Tool
Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, stated during a Senate hearing that Bitcoin is not only a real existing system but also possesses significant value as a "computer science tool," linking it to the capability of "power projection."
Multiple English media outlets and hearing records indicate that the US military and policymakers are gradually incorporating blockchain and decentralized networks into the framework of national security and technological competition. Analysts point out that the censorship resistance, distributed computing structure, and global node distribution of the Bitcoin network give it potential strategic significance at the information and infrastructure levels.
Source: Public Information
ABAB AI Insight
This statement's core lies in redefining Bitcoin as "infrastructure" rather than merely an asset. The term "computer science tool" refers to its underlying consensus mechanism, cryptographic system, and distributed network, which are beginning to be included in the national capability assessment framework beyond traditional finance.
The phrase "power projection" has a clear military context. Traditionally, power projection relies on aircraft carriers, bases, and monetary systems, whereas in the digital age, computing networks and cryptographic protocols are starting to assume similar functions. The global nature and inability to control the Bitcoin network from a single point give it potential capabilities to bypass traditional financial and communication systems in extreme situations.
From a geopolitical perspective, this reflects an expanding boundary of technological competition. Blockchain is no longer just a financial innovation but has become a foundational technology field alongside semiconductors, AI, and cybersecurity. The US military's statement indicates that it has entered the realm of national security discussions rather than remaining at the regulatory or market level.
On a deeper level, this is a redefinition of the relationship between "sovereignty and decentralized systems." While states attempt to regulate crypto assets, they are also beginning to assess their strategic value. This dual attitude suggests that Bitcoin and similar systems will no longer merely be passive subjects of regulation but may become tools or variables in great power competition in the future.