US military runs Bitcoin node for cybersecurity

The U.S. military is actively running a live Bitcoin node, according to Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. This initiative is not for mining but for cybersecurity testing, focusing on securing and protecting networks using the Bitcoin protocol. Paparo highlighted Bitcoin's potential as a tool for American power projection and national security, particularly in strategic competition with China. The disclosure marks the first public confirmation of a U.S. combatant commander's direct participation in the Bitcoin network, underscoring the military's interest in exploring decentralized technologies for defense purposes.