Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain Technology | Council on Foreign Relations

El Salvador

The IMF Is Bailing Out El Salvador. It Shouldn’t Be So Lenient on Cryptocurrency.

El Salvador’s bitcoin project risks the country’s economy and the IMF’s credibility.

by Samuel Johnson-Saeger May 13, 2025 Latin America’s Moment
United States

The Crypto Presidency

Crypto has a window—especially before 2026 midterm elections when Republican congressional control might be weakened—to move from a questioned corner of the U.S. financial sector to centerstage.

by Rebecca Patterson February 18, 2025 Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies
United States

Looking Ahead: Blockchain and Its Impacts on Democracy, Finance, and National Security

Panelists discuss the potential technical and economic benefits provided by blockchain technology, including Web3 and cryptocurrencies, their effect on democratic institutions, financial inclusion, and national security, as well as the role of regulation in promoting transparency, mitigating risks, and encouraging innovation. Please note there is no virtual component to this meeting. The audio, video, and transcript of this meeting will be posted on the CFR website. This meeting is part of the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Meeting Series on Democracy.

Event with Dante A. Disparte, Dante A. Disparte, Joseph Lubin, Donna Redel and Juan C. Zarate November 21, 2024

Technology and Innovation

The Crypto Question: Bitcoin, Digital Dollars, and the Future of Money

The dizzying rise of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has created new challenges for governments and central banks. Increasing popularity and high levels of market volatility have raised the stakes of the digital asset experiment.

by Anshu Siripurapu and Noah Berman January 17, 2024 Renewing America
Technology and Innovation

Cyber Week in Review: January 12, 2024

SEC approves new Bitcoin ETFs; Ransomware hits Paraguayan telecommunications company; Huawei ending U.S. lobbying efforts; Chinese research group cracks Apple's AirDrop encryption; Meta will restrict teens' use of its platforms.

by Kat Duffy and Kyle Fendorf January 12, 2024 Net Politics
El Salvador

Are Cryptocurrencies Still the Future of Money?

Since the creation of Bitcoin in 2009, cryptocurrencies have exploded in popularity and accrued over $1 trillion in collective value. But market volatility in 2022 threatened the crypto ecosystem—after peaking at over $68,000 in November 2021, the price of Bitcoin fell to under $17,000 twelve months later. This instability has brought new scrutiny to the industry and the countries that have embraced Bitcoin as currency: El Salvador and the Central African Republic. Financial regulators are now calling for more crypto oversight, but global efforts to regulate the industry have stalled. Given this simultaneous rise in global popularity and concern, what lies ahead for digital currency and the future of finance?

Explainer Video with Noah Berman, Anshu Siripurapu and Thamine Nayeem March 2, 2023
Cybersecurity

Cyber Week in Review: January 20, 2023

China sets market size goal for data security industry; SEC sues law firm after cyberattack; Ukraine sees coordination between kinetic strikes and cyberattacks; Bangladesh bought Israeli spyware; U.S. takes down crypto exchange.

by Adam Segal January 20, 2023 Net Politics
Technology and Innovation

North Korea’s Cryptocurrency Craze and its Impact on U.S. Policy

North Korean cryptocurrency theft has ballooned over the past two years. U.S. organizations need to do more to secure smart contracts and reduce opportunities for state-sponsored theft.

by Saher Naumaan January 12, 2023 Net Politics
Technology and Innovation

What Does the Cryptocurrency Decline Mean for Bitcoin Countries?

El Salvador and the Central African Republic have made Bitcoin legal tender, but market volatility has undermined the experiment.

by Noah Berman December 21, 2022
Cybersecurity

Cyber Week in Review: August 12, 2022

U.S. sanctions Tornado Cash; Samsung invests $3.3 billion in Vietnam; Biden signs CHIPS and Science Act; Greek Prime Minister rocked by spying scandal; China investigates microchip fund.

by Adam Segal August 12, 2022 Net Politics
Cybersecurity

Cyber Week in Review: June 30, 2022

Iranian Steel Mills Targeted in Cyberattack; Spyware Found in Italy and Kazakhstan; Italy Bans Google Analytics; Hackers Steal Over $100 Million in Cryptocurrency; New Chinese Disinformation Campaign Found.

by Adam Segal June 30, 2022 Net Politics
Cybersecurity

Cyber Week in Review: April 22, 2022

Pegasus spyware detected in PM Boris Johnson's office; Spyware targets Catalan separatists; NATO to conduct Locked Shields exercise; Lazarus Group steals $600 million in cryptocurrency; REvil returns.

by Adam Segal April 22, 2022 Net Politics
Cybersecurity

Cyber Week in Review: March 11, 2022

Internet firms exit Russia; APT41 targeting U.S. state governments; Conti ransomware internal logs leaked; DHS accused of bulk financial surveillance; Biden signs executive order on cryptocurrencies.

by Adam Segal March 11, 2022 Net Politics
Cybersecurity

Cyber Week in Review: February 25, 2022

Twitter expands access to Safety Mode; Canada cracks down on crypto; Ukraine hit by wave of DDoS and wiper attacks; Iran considers new internet controls; old Equation Group backdoor exposed.

by Adam Segal February 25, 2022 Net Politics
Cybersecurity

Cyber Week in Review: February 11, 2022

Israel and EU launch inquiries into Pegasus spyware; News Corp discloses breach; North Korea using stolen crypto to fund missile program; IRS abandons facial recognition plan; Justice Department indicts Hytera.

by Adam Segal February 11, 2022 Net Politics