Senator Cynthia Lummis endorsed Admiral Samuel Paparo’s case for Bitcoin (BTC) as a national security tool, calling on Congress to pass the Clarity Act.
Lummis responded to Paparo’s April 21 Senate Armed Services Committee testimony, where the Indo-Pacific Command chief described proof-of-work as a means of American power projection.
Lummis Calls for Clarity Act After Paparo Hearing
In a post on X (Twitter), the Wyoming senator said she was “incredibly impressed” by Paparo’s foresight and his use of BTC for national security.
“We’re watching digital assets integrate into global power infrastructure. It’s time we welcome them back on our soil. Pass the Clarity Act, secure America’s future,” wrote Lummis in the post.
Her remarks arrive as the Clarity Act faces a critical deadline. Lummis previously warned that the Senate Banking Committee must advance the bill by April 25 or risk losing it until 2030.
Proof-of-Work as a Cyber Defense Layer
During his testimony, Paparo told senators that INDOPACOM runs a live Bitcoin node and is actively testing the protocol for military network security.
He stated that proof-of-work protocols “impose more cost” on adversaries than traditional algorithmic network defenses alone.
The testimony aligns with a broader push from military and policy figures who view BTC’s energy-intensive mining process as a deterrent against cyberattacks.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has separately framed the Clarity Act as a national security priority.
Meanwhile, the crypto industry continues to ramp up pressure on the US Senate Banking Committee, urging them to move forward with a Clarity Act markup.
Today, the Blockchain Association and the Crypto Council for Innovation, alongside a broad coalition of over 120 organizations from across the digital asset ecosystem, urged the Senate Banking Committee to move forward with a markup on market structure legislation.
“Years of bipartisan work have brought Congress to an important moment. The U.S. needs clear, durable rules that protect consumers, provide certainty, and reinforce American leadership in digital asset innovation,” the Blockchain Association shared in a post.
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