Washington and the bet on the crypto industry

The government of the United States has presented an updated document dedicated to the national cyber strategy, which defines the country’s key policy directions in digital security, technological development, and protection of critical infrastructure. The document covers a wide range of issues — from countering cyber threats and strengthening international cooperation to supporting innovative technologies, including cryptocurrencies, blockchain, and artificial intelligence.

The strategy reflects a growing understanding that the modern economy, governance, and global security increasingly depend on digital systems. Financial networks, energy infrastructure, transport systems, communications, and government services operate on complex digital platforms. In such conditions, cybersecurity becomes one of the key elements of national security.

The document emphasizes that the United States intends not only to protect its digital infrastructure but also to maintain technological leadership in the world. This means actively developing advanced technologies, forming secure supply chains for digital components, and creating new cybersecurity standards that may be adopted internationally.

Particular attention in the strategy is paid to cooperation with allies and the private sector. The U.S. authorities recognize that the overwhelming majority of digital infrastructure is in the hands of private companies. Large technology corporations manage data centers, cloud services, communication platforms, and financial systems, so without close interaction between the state and business, ensuring reliable cybersecurity is practically impossible.

In addition, the document provides for the expansion of international cooperation in cybersecurity. The U.S. plans to coordinate actions more actively with allied countries to combat cybercrime, state-sponsored hacker groups, and attacks on critical infrastructure. The strategy emphasizes that cyber threats are becoming increasingly complex and transnational, and therefore require joint international efforts.

A separate point in the document highlights the need to promote U.S. interests and security in the digital space. Authorities also declare their intention to counter attempts to restrict freedom of speech online and to support the openness of the global network. This aspect reflects Washington’s broader political position, viewing a free internet as an important element of international influence and democratic values.

One of the key sections of the strategy is technological innovation, particularly cryptocurrencies and blockchain. U.S. authorities acknowledge that these technologies play an increasingly significant role in the global financial system and digital economy. The document notes that the government intends to support the development of secure blockchain-based solutions while paying special attention to user protection.

The strategy mentions the creation of technologies and supply chains that ensure security and privacy for users at all stages — from system design to implementation and operation. This approach implies the principle of “security by default,” where data protection and system resilience are built into the technology architecture from the start rather than added later as separate mechanisms.

A separate mention is given to supporting the security of cryptocurrency infrastructure and blockchain technologies. This may include developing standards for protecting digital wallets, improving transaction verification mechanisms, and strengthening network resilience against cyberattacks.

Another important area highlighted in the document is the development of post-quantum cryptography. Modern cryptographic algorithms currently used to protect banking systems, the internet, and cryptocurrencies may become vulnerable to future quantum computers. Therefore, the U.S. is already investing in the development of new cryptographic methods capable of ensuring data security in the era of quantum computing.

At the same time, authorities intend to support the development of secure quantum computing technologies. Quantum computers have the potential to radically transform many areas of science, medicine, materials science, and finance, but they also create new challenges for security systems.

A separate section of the strategy is dedicated to artificial intelligence. The document notes that AI is becoming one of the key technologies of the 21st century, capable of significantly influencing economic development, the military sphere, and international competition.

The U.S. government plans to pay special attention to protecting the infrastructure on which AI systems operate. This primarily concerns data centers, computing clusters, and specialized chips used for training and running neural networks. These facilities are strategically important elements of the digital economy and therefore require an elevated level of protection.

In addition, the authorities intend to stimulate the development of technologies ensuring the security of AI systems. This includes developing methods to protect models from hacking, preventing data manipulation, and creating mechanisms to control the behavior of complex algorithms.

The document also mentions the use of cyber diplomacy tools to promote U.S. AI technologies internationally. In particular, this refers to supporting the development of generative AI and so-called agent systems — programs capable of independently making decisions and performing complex tasks.

Thus, the presented cyber strategy demonstrates that the United States considers the digital space one of the key arenas of global competition. In the coming years, technologies — from cryptocurrencies and blockchain to artificial intelligence and quantum computing — will determine the balance of power between states and shape the new architecture of the global economy and security.