CIA Running a ‘Number of’ Active Crypto Projects, Director Claims

Bitcoin Cryptocurrency Regulation USA
Ad Disclosure
Ad Disclosure

We believe in full transparency with our readers. Some of our content includes affiliate links, and we may earn a commission through these partnerships. However, this potential compensation never influences our analysis, opinions, or reviews. Our editorial content is created independently of our marketing partnerships, and our ratings are based solely on our established evaluation criteria. Read More
Last updated:
Ad Disclosure
Ad Disclosure

We believe in full transparency with our readers. Some of our content includes affiliate links, and we may earn a commission through these partnerships. However, this potential compensation never influences our analysis, opinions, or reviews. Our editorial content is created independently of our marketing partnerships, and our ratings are based solely on our established evaluation criteria. Read More
Author
Tim Alper
Author Categories
About Author

Tim Alper is a British journalist and features writer who has worked at Cryptonews.com since 2018. He has written for media outlets such as the BBC, the Guardian, and Chosun Ilbo. He has also worked...

Last updated:
Why Trust Cryptonews
Cryptonews has covered the cryptocurrency industry topics since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journalists and analysts have extensive experience in market analysis and blockchain technologies. We strive to maintain high editorial standards, focusing on factual accuracy and balanced reporting across all areas - from cryptocurrencies and blockchain projects to industry events, products, and technological developments. Our ongoing presence in the industry reflects our commitment to delivering relevant information in the evolving world of digital assets. Read more about Cryptonews
Ad DisclosureWe believe in full transparency with our readers. Some of our content includes affiliate links, and we may earn a commission through these partnerships. Read more
Source: AdobeStock / ontronix

 

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William Burns has admitted that his agency has “a number of different projects focused on cryptocurrency” in progress – and claimed that his predecessor Gina Haspel had “started” the CIA ball rolling in the crypto sphere. What is more, the agency is feeding its crypto “information” to “other parts” of the American government, Burns said.

Haspel served as the CIA Director from 2018 until March this year, when Burns took over.

At a Wall Street Journal-organized event, Burns stated:

“This is something I inherited. My predecessor had started this, but had set in motion a number of different projects focused on cryptocurrency and trying to look at second- and third-order consequences as well and helping with our colleagues in other parts of the United States government to provide solid intelligence on what we’re seeing as well.”

Burns added that crypto could have an “enormous impact on everything from ransomware attacks,” because “one of the ways of getting at ransomware attacks and deterring them” is to be able to “get at the financial networks that so many of those criminal networks use and that gets right at the issue of digital currencies as well.”

Vice claimed that Burns’ admission was “hardly surprising given the focus ransomware is getting from every corner of government.”

On Twitter, some mused that the CIA could even have infiltrated social media groups and might be trying to exert a subtle influence over crypto community members.

https://www.twitter.com/sayinshallah/status/1468071842648924162

The admission appears to have given a new wind to the years-old conspiracy theory that the CIA might be Satoshi Nakamoto or have played a part in creating bitcoin (BTC).

Others quipped that the lure of crypto could prove too strong for some agents.

On Reddit, some speculated that the agency might have its finger in certain privacy coin pies, with one opining:

“[The] CIA definitely wants to know how money is being laundered and spent. So whatever coins that are advertising themselves as being ‘more secure than the rest’ are definitely CIA.”

Elsewhere on Reddit, another asked:

“Did anyone have any doubts that the CIA was into crypto?”

____

Learn more:

As Bitcoin’s Taproot Nears, Ex-CIA Director’s Paper Raises Privacy Concerns
Former CIA Analyst on Crypto Regulation

Cashless Payment Is Booming. So Is Financial Surveillance
Chainalysis Valued at USD 2B as Investors See Demand For Crypto Intelligence

More Articles

Bitcoin News
Poland’s Central Bank Rejects Bitcoin for Reserves, Citing Security Concerns: Report
Hassan Shittu
Hassan Shittu
2025-02-07 19:51:20
Altcoin News
Ethereum Price Stagnation Conditions, When Is a Pump Coming?
Joel Frank
Joel Frank
2025-02-07 19:22:39
Crypto News in numbers
editors
Authors List + 66 More
2M+
Active Monthly Users Around the World
250+
Guides and Reviews Articles
8
Years on the Market
70
International Team Authors