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US Senate Suggests Blockchain Can Improve National Security
The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee recently recommended exploring the use of Blockchain to enhance the country’s national security. The Committee released a report directing the Department of Defense (DoD) to consider the emerging technology and test its potential applications in the defense sector.
US Senate Military Committee Calls for Blockchain Development
The U.S. Senate Committee on Military Affairs has issued the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025. In its report, the committee authorized next year’s appropriations for Department of Defense military activities and military construction.
The NDAA discussed several topics of special interest, including “evaluating blockchain technology for supply chain security and other national security uses.”
NDDA acknowledges the vast potential of blockchain technology. Source: Committee on Armed Services
The committee highlighted the vast potential of the technology and its uses for national security, including strengthening anti-corruption and data manipulation measures in the country:
Blockchain technology has the potential to improve the cryptographic integrity of the defense supply chain, improve data integrity, and reduce the risk of manipulation or corruption of certain types of data by peer competitors.
Additionally, the U.S. Senate Military Committee believes that data-driven security, transparency, accountability, and verifiable supply chains are critical to improving the national defense of the United States and economic competitiveness.
The NDAA suggested that the US follow the same path as other countries and invest in Blockchain technology research and development. The report says these measures are important to maintain “global leadership in this critical technology.”
Regulatory clarity needed for global leadership and adoption
The committee directed the Department of Defense to evaluate the use of the technology to achieve “national security objectives and create secure, transparent, accountable and verifiable supply chain data.”
According to the NDAA, the Secretary of Defense must submit a briefing to the committee by April 1, 2025. In the briefing, the Secretary must assess potential applications of blockchain technology for supply chain management within the Department of Defense.
The report issued a guideline for the elements that should be examined in the document, including the benefits and risks of implementing emerging technology in supply chain management and monitoring.
The Secretary is also required to analyze the current state of Blockchain adoption in national security applications within the Department of Defense and the defense industrial base, with estimates of the resources required for these activities.
By the deadline, a plan for pilot programs or research and development initiatives to explore the use of the technology in the defense sector must be prepared, as well as an analysis of the use of blockchain technology by China and Russia.
Excerpt of the NDAA guidelines to the Secretary of Defense. Source: Committee on Armed Services
Finally, the briefing is expected to offer recommendations to advance the development of the technology within the Department of Defense and recommendations for “legislative or regulatory actions to incorporate blockchain technology to support supply chain transparency and auditability.”
The US Senate Military Committee’s recommendations highlight the need for clear guidelines to develop the country’s industry. Many politicians have called for a more welcoming regulatory approach in the US to successfully promote the cryptocurrency industry.
With the upcoming elections around the corner, these efforts have led to the endorsement of the sector by several politicians. As reported According to Bitcoinist, key members of the United States Congress and industry figures have spoken out about the regulatory challenges facing cryptocurrency companies in the United States.
Bitcoin (BTC) is trading at $57,495 in the five-day chart. Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView
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