On the 17th anniversary of the Bitcoin white paper release, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged the cryptocurrency’s uninterrupted operation while drawing a pointed contrast with ongoing government disruptions. In a message posted on X, Bessent praised Bitcoin’s resilience, emphasizing that the network “never shuts down” and implicitly suggesting that policymakers could take a lesson from its consistent availability.
October 31 holds special significance within the crypto community as it marks the day in 2008 when Satoshi Nakamoto published the foundational nine-page document outlining a peer-to-peer electronic cash system. This white paper set the groundwork for the Bitcoin network, which has run continuously since its launch in January 2009. Enthusiasts often use this date to celebrate Bitcoin’s decentralized infrastructure and uninterrupted operation, independent of any central authority.
Bessent’s remarks come amid a broader trend within the Treasury to engage with digital assets in a constructive manner. Earlier this year, following the enactment of the GENIUS Act, Bessent described stablecoins as a transformative innovation in digital finance. He proposed that an internet-native dollar payment system could enhance the U.S. dollar’s global standing while broadening access to digital payments.
In a separate statement during August, Bessent indicated that bitcoins acquired by the U.S. government could be instrumental in creating a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. He also signaled intentions to explore methods of expanding these holdings through budget-neutral approaches rather than relying on new funding, reflecting a continued interest in integrating digital assets into official policy frameworks.
The Treasury Secretary’s latest tweet sparked varied reactions within the Bitcoin ecosystem. Notably, Luke Dashjr, a key Bitcoin Core developer, expressed skepticism about Bitcoin’s current strength, referencing debates around recent software updates and their impact on network integrity. Meanwhile, researcher Eric Wall responded with irony, alluding to recurring pessimism following Bitcoin upgrades.
Investor Simon Dixon interpreted Bessent’s comments as an implicit critique of traditional currency policies, highlighting Bitcoin’s value as protection against political dilution of currency. Several other voices in the community called for concrete actions: trader Fred Krueger encouraged the Treasury to purchase more Bitcoin for the Strategic Reserve, and strategist Gabor Gurbacs urged adding Bitcoin to government balance sheets.
These responses revealed a division within the community: some focused on technical concerns and questioned broad claims of Bitcoin’s durability, while others emphasized the need to translate positive governmental rhetoric into tangible policy steps supporting Bitcoin adoption.
The timing of Bessent’s message carried additional political weight. Since October 1, the federal government has operated under a partial shutdown due to missed appropriations for the 2026 fiscal year. This shutdown, described as the longest in U.S. history, has led to nearly one million federal worker furloughs and reduced operations at key agencies including the NIH and CDC.
Seen in this context, Bessent’s praise of Bitcoin’s uninterrupted function stands in sharp contrast to governmental gridlock and operational pauses. While technically a nod to the cryptocurrency’s always-on design, the message also serves as a subtle commentary on political challenges in maintaining consistent government services. It reinforces the Treasury’s ongoing engagement with digital currencies as part of Washington’s policy discussions—even amid periods of institutional instability.
