US Space Force Major Urges Studying Bitcoin’s Potential

The military should prioritise studying the underlying BitcoinProof-of-Work algorithm (PoW) to ensure the country’s defence capability. This was stated by U.S. Space Force Major Jason Lowery.

BREAKING: US Space Force Major, Jason Lowery sends open letter about #Bitcoin to DOD’s Defense Innovation Board.

“I contend that reusable proof-of-work networks like #Bitcoin represent an offset strategy for the 21st century.” pic.twitter.com/qiLZ71S5MN

— Dennis Porter (@Dennis_Porter_) December 3, 2023

Lowery is also a research fellow in national defence at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In an open letter to the Defense Innovation Board of the Department of Defense, he noted that the issue has “national strategic significance”.

The Council was created to disseminate Silicon Valley technological innovations and best practices within the U.S. armed forces.

“Reusable PoW networks like Bitcoin represent an offset strategy for the 21st century,” the specialist said.

According to him, the blockchain of the first cryptocurrency is not only a “monetary system”, but also provides the basis for protecting “all forms of data, messages or command signals”.

“There is an underappreciation of the technology’s key significance from a cybersecurity and, more broadly, national security perspective,” the letter says.

Lowery explained that PoW can be used to deter opponents from cyberattacks due to the “high costs” of running computers. The same principle applies to military assets that help deter armed aggression.

“Proof-of-work mirrors strategies of physical security and deterrence on land, sea, air and space, but in the digital realm,” the major explained.

The officer stated that the potential of Bitcoin in cybersecurity is enormous; its blockchain could play a pivotal role in preserving the United States’ position as a global leader.

“This is the beginning of a revolution in cybersecurity. The PoW algorithm turns the global electric grid into a large, physically costly computer, or a ‘macrochip’, and uses it to deter attackers as well as to protect a wide range of data and messages,” Lowery said.

The major lamented that the DoD may already have “lost valuable time” by not integrating the technology into its arsenal.

ForkLog previously presented an overview of Lowery’s book on Bitcoin’s strategic significance. The 400-page work became a bestseller on Amazon, though it faced criticism from community members, including CTO Casa Jameson Lopp.

On August 10, the U.S. Department of Defense announced the formation of the Lima task force to study and develop generative AI. The new unit will focus on integrating technologies into the country’s security framework.