Following the creation of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) by US President Donald Trump, speculation has arisen about possible Department of Defense (DoD) initiatives in the field of cryptocurrency mining.
Is the US Department of Defense Getting Into Bitcoin Mining? X-post Sparks Controversy
On March 17, Michelle Weekley, head of cryptocurrency business Byte Federal, started a provocative conversation about the possible U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) exploration of Bitcoin (BTC) mining. On Monday, Weekley noted, “I believe the U.S. Department of Defense is going to start mining Bitcoin,” along with a series of cryptic and vague images.
X-post Weekly.
Among the materials shared was a repost from Michael Saylor, the founder of Strategy, with his cryptic statement: “Big things are coming.” Weekley further fueled the conversation by sharing a photo from Matthew Pines, the executive director of the Bitcoin Policy Institute, of a nondescript conference space with the caption “The room where it happened.”
She also piqued curiosity by featuring an image of Bitcoin Magazine CEO David Bailey, who added a philosophical succinctness to Michael Saylor’s cryptic post: “Embrace game theory.” Bailey’s follow-up message: “When you think the show is over, but it’s really just beginning,” added even more mystery to the digital collage.
Her curated gallery also highlighted Jason Lowry, a U.S. Space Force officer and aeronautics expert whose X post revealed a tantalizing ambiguity. When asked about her profile photo change, Lowry responded, “Give it about 3 weeks and it will become clearer,” a comment that echoed Weekley’s hypothesis.
Her suggestion is also echoed in Lowry's treatise Software Warfare: A New Theory of Power Projection and the National Strategic Importance of Bitcoin, which argues that using material resources such as energy to control virtual spheres can enhance a state's defense capabilities.
If the Defense Department decides to mine Bitcoin, it will be diving into proof-of-work (PoW), transforming kilowatts into cryptographic fortresses. Such a move is consistent with Loehrey’s vision of using physical assets to dominate digital spheres, treating blockchain security like a geopolitical chess piece. By fortifying the integrity of the network with computing power, the agency can implement Loehrey’s Softwar doctrine.
Published in February 2023, Loeri’s manifesto reimagines Bitcoin not as a digital currency network but as an electro-cyber shield with profound tactical implications. His argument centers on the tension between physical force (energy, linked to thermodynamics) and ideological influence (collective belief), intertwined with strategies based on game theory principles. Weekley’s speculative idea, meanwhile, has attracted the interest of several digital experts, who have filled the discussion with their own insights.
Barefoot Mining founder Bob Burnett commented, “I’m not saying I like it, but it’s inevitable. The Fed will probably do the same, as will the CIA and NSA. I’m guessing they’re already doing it.” Another panelist noted, “I think the DOD has been mining Bitcoin for years as a national security issue, and Softwar and [Jason Lowry] have been educational tools to change the Overton Window.”
If the Defense Department were to embrace the concept of “soft warfare,” it could dramatically change the approach to cyber warfare. Instead of relying solely on traditional methods like malware and hacking, countries would compete for computing power and energy dominance. The tangible costs of proof of work would make any attempt to attack or manipulate the system prohibitively expensive, creating a powerful shield for national cybersecurity.
However, at this point, this idea remains pure speculation – just theoretical thoughts without any concrete actions. Nevertheless, it is an exciting concept to discuss.
Source: cryptonews.net
