Bitcoin's Unstoppable Nature Highlighted Amid Government Gridlock
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent marked the 17th anniversary of the Bitcoin white paper with a powerful statement that's making waves across Washington and crypto circles alike. In an October 31 post on X, Bessent praised Bitcoin's "never shuts down" design while taking a direct jab at Senate Democrats, suggesting lawmakers could "learn something from that."
Political Timing Adds Weight to Crypto Message
The timing couldn't be more significant. Bessent's comments landed during a partial federal government shutdown that has furloughed approximately 900,000 workers and halted services at multiple agencies including the NIH and CDC. This marks the 11th shutdown to curtail government services and is being described as the longest full shutdown on record.
Consistent Crypto-Friendly Stance from Treasury
This isn't Bessent's first foray into crypto advocacy. The Treasury Secretary has been building a consistent record of crypto-forward messaging throughout the year:
- In July, following President Trump's signature on the GENIUS Act, Bessent called stablecoins "a revolution in digital finance" and argued that an internet-native dollar rail could reinforce reserve-currency status
- In August, he suggested that bitcoin forfeited to the U.S. would seed a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and that Treasury would explore budget-neutral ways to add more
Crypto Community Reacts with Divided Opinions
The response to Bessent's anniversary post revealed the ongoing tensions within the crypto space:
- Long-time Bitcoin Core developer Luke Dashjr pushed back, claiming bitcoin is "weaker than ever"
- Researcher Eric Wall responded with sarcasm about "bitcoin dying after the core v30 release"
- Investor Simon Dixon reframed the comment as a critique of currency policy
- Others pressed for concrete action, with trader Fred Krueger suggesting Treasury should buy for the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve
Deeper Implications for Digital Asset Policy
Beyond the political theater, Bessent's statement serves as another signal that the Treasury chief intends to keep digital assets in the policy conversation even during Washington's most contentious moments. The contrast between Bitcoin's continuous operation since January 2009 and the recurring government shutdowns provides a powerful narrative about resilience and technological independence.
The anniversary post arrives at a time when supporters traditionally highlight Bitcoin's always-on design and its independence from any single operator—qualities that stand in stark contrast to the current political gridlock affecting traditional government services.
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