SPECIAL OPERATIONS AND CRYPTOCURRENCY: CONCEPTS TO HARNESS INNOVATION FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
Author
Rowen, Michael S.
Date
2022-12Advisor
Blanken, Leo J.
Second Reader
Dew, Nicholas
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Concepts to harness positive opportunities inside the cryptocurrency ecosystem to advance national security objectives have yet to be fully explored in government organizations. This thesis, focuses on cryptocurrency as a subset of digital assets and attempts to answer the question: Is there utility for cryptocurrency in U.S. special operations (USSOF) and could it support broader U.S. national security strategies? A whole-of-government approach for the responsible development of digital assets should include Department of Defense (DOD) and USSOF perspectives. The cryptocurrency ecosystem does offer utility for special operations as a complimentary tool for tactical concepts and as a component to financial intelligence assessments. International use cases for cryptocurrency offer a framework for USSOF during research and development to deliver exquisite capabilities in support of resistance movements and supplement U.S. security strategies in the financial battlespace. The DoD and USSOF should coordinate with allies and across U.S. government departments to develop a pilot program that places cryptocurrency in the hands of SOF operators and tactical teams with the intent to develop new operational concepts. USSOF should continue to expand public-private partnerships to improve awareness, capacity, and competency in the digital asset ecosystem and leverage blockchain research and development directives to inform innovative concepts for cryptocurrency in special operations.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
BITCOIN: A TECHNOLOGY-INFLUENCED SOCIAL MOVEMENT
Johnson, Jason D.; Green, Terrance D. (Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 12);Over the past decade, the Bitcoin-inspired cryptocurrency industry and blockchain technology have continued to evolve and reshape the global financial industry, despite resistance from state governments to prevent the ... -
Technological innovation roles and implications in Army Aviation Special Operations
Polen, Richard A. (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 2008-12);The Global War on Terror and recent shift of focus from conventional warfare to unconventional warfare reflects a need to replace Cold War era helicopters. Case studies including the development of the AH-56 Cheyenne, ... -
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and special operations: future directions
James, Gregory K. (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 2000-12-01);Advances in computing, miniaturization, imaging, and data transmission technologies are precursors to a more important role for UAVs in warfare. UAVs are likely, first, to revolutionize the way reconnaissance and surveillance ...