- Cryptopolitan
- Posts
- CIA goes Crypto
CIA goes Crypto
PLUS: Bitcoin reserve for North Carolina, Ripple offers to buy Circle and BlackRock leads RWA
Cryptopolitan News
May 01, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes
Hello, and welcome to the Cryptopolitan Daily.
The crypto market never sleeps, and neither do we. Whether it’s breaking news, market shifts, or regulatory updates, we’re here to bring you the insights that matter—fast, sharp, and to the point.
📬 Today’s Byte
• CIA goes Crypto
• North Carolina makes a power play on Bitcoin
• Ripple Tried to Buy Circle for $5B. Circle Said No.
• BlackRock leads the RWA wave
Market-moving headlines 🔥
Digital assets firm Coinshares has reported that the value of digital assets investments in investors’ portfolios has reached 1.8%. According to the firm, this is the highest weighting for crypto assets in investors’ portfolios in a year. | Elon Musk on Wednesday sort of confirmed that he’s cutting his ties with both the Department of Government Efficiency and Donald Trump’s Cabinet, ending a chaotic federal side quest that lasted just over three months. |
World (formerly Worldcoin) launched in six U.S. cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, marking a major expansion for the company’s ‘proof of human’ services. | The yen dropped hard on Wednesday in Tokyo after the Bank of Japan refused to raise rates, even as President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff strategy hammered global markets. |
🧠 CIA goes Crypto
🎙️ “Bitcoin is another tool in the toolbox.”
That’s a direct quote from CIA Deputy Director Michael Jayellis, who just dropped one of the most important crypto statements of the year.
In a new interview with Anthony Pompliano, Jayellis said the CIA is actively using Bitcoin — not just watching it.
We use it for payments. It helps us track adversaries. And it’s here to stay.
🇺🇸 Crypto as a national security priority
Forget FUD. The U.S. intelligence community now sees Bitcoin as a strategic asset.
Jayellis says the CIA must ensure the U.S. is “strategically positioned” in the global crypto race — especially against China.
Key takeaway: Crypto isn’t just finance. It’s geopolitics now.
The CIA’s dual crypto agenda
Track & disrupt illicit crypto flows — drug cartels, terrorists, rogue states.
Use crypto to gather intelligence and fund operations.
🥇 U.S. vs. China: The tech arms race
Jayellis called China the “#1 existential threat” in the tech and economic realm.
From AI to semiconductors, and now Bitcoin, the CIA is investing in tools that give the U.S. a global edge.
He credits Trump as the first U.S. president to call out China’s unfair practices — and says the agency is aligned with the administration’s goal:
Total elimination of the cartels… and technological dominance.
📈 “Crypto is here to stay”
Jayellis closed with a clear message:
More and more institutions are adopting it. That’s a great trend. And we’re leaning into it.
This is the clearest signal yet from the U.S. intelligence establishment:
🏛️ Regulation Watch
💼 State-Backed Bitcoin exposure? It’s happening.
The North Carolina House just passed House Bill 92 — also known as the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Bill.
If this becomes law, North Carolina could become the first U.S. state to invest public funds in Bitcoin-linked ETFs.
Not direct BTC — but up to 10% of state funds could be invested in Bitcoin exchange-traded products (ETPs) listed on regulated exchanges like NASDAQ and NYSE.
Key takeaways:
Covers public funds: General Fund, Highway Fund and 24 others
Strict rules: Assets must have $750B+ market cap (read: Bitcoin only)
Investments via institutional-grade vehicles — not raw crypto purchases
Bitcoin to be held in cold storage, secured by multisig, with monthly audits
What about the Risk?
Selling Bitcoin? Needs a 2/3 majority vote — only during emergencies
Governor Josh Stein hasn’t endorsed it officially, but sources say he’s “receptive”
State Treasurer gets full control — a consolidation move for oversight and security
Debate on the Floor
✔️ Rep. Keith Kidwell (Lead sponsor):
“This is smart portfolio diversification — like tech stocks or emerging markets.”
❌ Rep. Maria Cervania:
“Digital assets are too risky and unstable for taxpayer money.”
⚠️ Flint Benson (State Employees Association):
“Don’t gamble with retirees’ benefits.”
The Pension crisis
With a $16B pension shortfall, the bill’s backers see Bitcoin exposure as a hedge against inflation and a long-term yield enhancer.
North Carolina could set the tone for other states grappling with similar fiscal gaps.
Not Alone in the Game
Arizona has passed a similar law, allowing 10% crypto investment
More U.S. states are eyeing Bitcoin reserve strategies as part of public finance reforms
Next stop: The Senate
All eyes are now on the North Carolina Senate.
If they greenlight it, the state will become a trailblazer in public-sector Bitcoin adoption.
🧭 Market Pulse
Ripple Tried to Buy Circle for $5B. Circle Said No.
Circle has reportedly rejected a $4B–$5B acquisition offer from Ripple. The stablecoin issuer, behind USDC, is pushing ahead with its IPO plans — and believes it's worth more.
The timing isn’t random. Ripple, fresh off its legal battle with the SEC, has been on an acquisition spree this year. After acquiring the prime broker Hidden Road for $1.25B and other crypto firms, Ripple is now setting its sights on owning more of the stablecoin and payments infrastructure.
But Circle isn’t interested.
As it mints new USDC on Solana and Base, and launches its own Circle Payments Network (CPN), Circle is positioning itself as a key player in global digital payments — possibly even a rival to RippleNet.
Behind the scenes, competition is intensifying.
Visa is partnering with Stripe’s Bridge to build stablecoin rails. Stripe is moving from fintech app to full-blown crypto payments player. Everyone wants a piece of the stablecoin settlement layer.
The rejection doesn’t just highlight valuation gaps.
It reveals a bigger story: the race to lead stablecoin-powered payments is officially on.
🧵 Thread of the day by @CPOfficialtx
Find out how BlackRock leads the RWA wave👇
BlackRock is quietly leading the RWA wave.
Their BUIDL fund hit $1.95B AUM in 30 days.
4.5% yield paid in USDC, backed by Treasuries, repo, and cash.
Held by 60+ institutions like Coinbase, Ondo and Fireblocks.
See why it matters, based on KuCoin research 👇
— Cryptopolitan (@CPOfficialtx)
6:48 PM • Apr 30, 2025
Join the Conversation!
We'd love to hear your thoughts and comments. Join our community and stay updated with the latest trends and discussions in crypto.
Twitter: @CPOfficialtx
Telegram Channel: t.me/CryptopolitanOfficial