Cryptocurrencies: Emergent Threat to National Security

The current strategic security environment is more complex than ever before. Adversaries such as North Korea, Iran, and Syria strive to destabilize regions while competitors-China and Russia-attempt to erode national security by challenging America's global power, influence, and interest. In addition, domestic and transnational threats such as terrorist groups, transnational criminal organizations, and non-state actors have increased destabilization activities, thereby threatening U.S. national security at home and abroad. Though not fully understood, cryptocurrencies and alternative remittance money laundering will continue to grow on a global scale and remain threat finance sources for the foreseeable future. The United States and Partner Nations must and will develop the capability to detect, disrupt, and dismantle cryptocurrencies and alternative remittance threat finance networks by increasing knowledge and information sharing, collaborating and cooperating internationally, and leveraging international and domestic financial enforcement authorities.