Digital Currency and National Security Forum

The Potomac Officers Club’s Digital Currency and National Security Forum will bring together distinguished federal government and industry leaders to discuss the implications, risks, challenges and opportunities digital currencies pose for the future of the U.S. economy and national security.

Since the 2009 inception of Bitcoin, the world’s first decentralized cryptocurrency, digital currencies have fundamentally transformed wealth storage and financial systems on a global scale. However, because they operate based on blockchain technology and do not require a central authority, digital currencies are raising increased concern among government officials.

Now, with over 300 million users worldwide, this unregulated global economy is posing new threats to national security. 

John C. Inglis, the first national cyber director and former deputy director of the National Security Agency, will serve as the forum’s opening keynote speaker to detail the nation’s plan for regulation as digital currencies continue to gain worldwide importance. Inglis, who holds three Presidential Rank Awards, will discuss how the federal government is working to build and maintain partnerships between the Treasury, USCYBERCOM and industry to address the safe adoption of digital currencies for government agencies and contractors.

Also keynoting will be the Honorable Juan Zarate, former security advisor to President George W. Bush, assistant secretary for terrorist financing and author of “Treasury’s War: The Unleashing of a New Era of Financial Warfare.” He currently serves as senior adviser at CSIS as well as global co-managing partner and chief strategy officer for K2 Integrity. Zarate is an expert on global finance, anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT), and he was also appointed twice by Pope Francis to serve for more than 5 years on the board of the Vatican’s Supervisory and Financial Information Authority.

Join us on January 27th for the Potomac Officers Club’s Digital Currency and National Security Forum.