TFTC: A Bitcoin Podcast #627: Competing With China Using Bitcoin with Ken Egan
Jun 11, 2025
Ken Egan, Director of Government Affairs at the Bitcoin Policy Institute and former CIA cyber intelligence official, shares his fascinating journey into Bitcoin advocacy. He discusses the evolving views on Bitcoin within U.S. national security circles and its potential role in countering China. Egan emphasizes the importance of proactive engagement with policymakers to shape the future of Bitcoin, highlighting its alignment with American values and the need for better regulatory frameworks to support innovation in the cryptocurrency space.
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CIA Bitcoin Journey
- Ken Egan learned about Bitcoin at CIA due to its use in cyber threats and ransomware starting in 2018.
- Many in the national security community are Bitcoiners for the same reasons civilians value the protocol: sovereignty and resistance to financial weaponization.
National Security Views on Bitcoin
- The national security establishment is diverse, with differing views on Bitcoin and financial sovereignty.
- Recent cultural shifts signal increased openness toward Bitcoin and a move away from heavy surveillance approaches.
Bitcoin as Strategic Asset
- Bitcoin is viewed by U.S. intelligence as a strategic economic asset to compete globally, especially against China.
- Bitcoin’s properties align with U.S. values of freedom and private property, enhancing America’s geopolitical advantages.