In recent years, cryptocurrencies have quietly entered the realm of global arms trade. As traditional financial systems tighten oversight and sanctions grow more sophisticated, some countries and non-state actors have turned to decentralized digital currencies like Bitcoin, Tether, and Monero to purchase weapons, drones, and military-grade technology.
The use of crypto offers anonymity, speed, and fewer regulatory barriers, making it attractive in conflict zones or under international sanctions. Reports suggest that nations under embargo, such as North Korea and parts of the Middle East, have increasingly explored blockchain-based transactions to fund and facilitate arms procurement.
This shift signals a major transformation in how war is financed, presenting new challenges for international regulators and defense intelligence agencies trying to track illicit arms deals in a decentralized financial world.
