30th Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – The Geopolitical Impact of Crypto and Digital Currencies

Hon. Steve Stockman reflected on his early legislative efforts in the U.S. Congress to introduce cryptocurrency-related bills more than a decade ago and noted how many of his early warnings are now becoming reality. He expressed deep concern over the increasing push by governments—particularly authoritarian regimes—to control digital assets and use artificial intelligence to monitor and restrict individual freedoms.

Stockman warned that state-controlled digital currencies, such as China’s, enable governments to cut citizens off from food, employment, housing, and basic services, creating a dystopian model of social control. He highlighted that China and Russia are already attempting to influence global AI governance standards at the United Nations, which poses a significant threat to democratic values.

While acknowledging the positive potential of AI and digital assets to enhance commerce and innovation, he stressed that these same technologies can be weaponized by oppressive governments. He referenced his early experiences lobbying Congress on Bitcoin when colleagues dismissed the technology, underscoring how rapidly the geopolitical landscape has changed.

Stockman urged parliamentarians and policymakers worldwide to defend freedom by preventing authoritarian actors from dominating global digital and AI systems. He emphasized the necessity of ensuring that emerging technologies remain tools of empowerment rather than instruments of coercion.

He closed with a call to vigilance, warning that if democratic nations fail to act, they risk “waking up one day asking what happened” as control over digital infrastructure falls into the hands of malign actors.