Bitcoin Could Become a Cybersecurity Tool for Nation-States, Says U.S. Space Force Major in Best-Selling Thesis

Key Points

• Jason Lowery’s graduate thesis on Bitcoin has become a popular pick on Amazon.
• Lowery’s report asserts that Bitcoin has the potential to play a major role as a military-grade solution for securing information.
• He believes that Bitcoin could represent a “softwar” or electro cyber-defense protocol, not merely a peer-to-peer electronic cash system.
• Lowery warns that insufficient reserves of Bitcoin held on behalf of the U.S. government could pose a threat to the nation’s national security if the network becomes utilized as a cyber-security tool.
• Lowery’s report draws on knowledge from various fields, such as anthropology and computer science, to establish and explore his theory.

A graduate thesis on Bitcoin written by a U.S. Space Force major, Jason Lowery, has become a popular pick on Amazon. Lowery’s 350-page report, titled “Softwar: A Novel Theory on Power Projection and the National Strategic Significance of Bitcoin,” asserts that Bitcoin has the potential to play a major role on the world’s geopolitical stage as a military-grade solution for securing information.

Lowery conducted academic research on Bitcoin during a 6-month fellowship sponsored by the Department of Defense at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In his report, Lowery explores his “Power Projection Theory,” which posits that the proof-of-work system underlying Bitcoin transaction verification can be leveraged by military powers to impose restrictions on bad actors in a non-lethal way through a steep amount of physical work in the form of crunching numbers.

While the book does not place within the top 500 books on Amazon’s store, it has remained a top pick in Amazon’s digital currencies category, currently ranked second in both books on technology and engineering.

Lowery’s report draws on knowledge from various fields, such as anthropology and computer science, to establish and explore his theory. He believes that Bitcoin could represent a “softwar” or electro cyber-defense protocol, not merely a peer-to-peer electronic cash system. “While most software can only logically constrain computers, Bitcoin can physically constrain computers,” the book states.

However, Lowery also warns that insufficient reserves of Bitcoin held on behalf of the U.S. government could pose a threat to the nation’s national security if the network becomes utilized as a cyber-security tool. “If the U.S. does not consider stockpiling strategic Bitcoin reserves, or at the very least encouraging Bitcoin adoption,” he said, “The U.S. could forfeit a strategically vital power […] and set itself back in global power dominance.”

Lowery’s paper was published in February, and the U.S. recently announced that it sold $215 million in seized Bitcoin last month, suggesting that not every Fed is on the same page.

While Lowery’s report has received a majority of five-star ratings on Amazon, some reviews criticize the text for containing “too much wishful thinking,” “arguments based on opinion,” and quotes from “The Matrix” that “detract from the seriousness of the topic.”

While Lowery’s thesis on Bitcoin’s potential as a cyber-security tool may not directly impact investment decisions, it highlights the growing importance of cryptocurrencies in global politics and national security. As more governments and military powers explore the use of Bitcoin, investors may want to keep an eye on its potential impact on the market. Platforms like Bitcoin Trend App and Bitcoin Legacy offer a convenient way to invest in cryptocurrencies and stay up-to-date on market developments.