Esper Warns Crypto Bill Crucial for US National Security
Former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has argued that the Clarity Act is a national security issue for the U.S. He points out that without guidance and guardrails, crypto capital might flow to jurisdictions with clearer rules, potentially benefiting countries like China.
The Clarity Act would require exchanges, brokers, and financial institutions to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations, which could help mitigate the risk of hacks originating from North Korea or organized criminal groups. This is particularly relevant for chains with decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystems like Solana and Ethereum.
Esper's argument is not new; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth mentioned classified programs about Bitcoin during a House Armed Services Committee hearing in April. However, the concern is broader than just Bitcoin, as North Korean state-affiliated hackers were responsible for 76% of all hack-related crypto theft between January and April 2026.