In “The Currency of Freedom” (RealClearPolicy.com, 15 June 2026), Juan Zarate co-authored an op-ed with Damon Wilson, president and CEO of the National Endowment for Democracy, examining how decentralized financial tools can help support democratic movements operating under authoritarian regimes.
The authors argue that the struggle for freedom increasingly runs through the global financial system, as authoritarian governments use financial controls to freeze accounts, manipulate currencies, and restrict access to banking services. They point to examples in Venezuela, Afghanistan, Belarus, and Nigeria, where digital dollars, Bitcoin, and other cryptocurrency tools have helped activists, health workers, teachers, and civic groups receive critical support when traditional financial channels were blocked or compromised.
Juan and Damon acknowledge the risks that come with using such technology, including threats from bad actors and authoritarian states. However, they note: “The answer is not to abandon the technology. It is to ensure that free societies set the standards, enforce transparency, and build the compliance infrastructure that keeps these tools lawful, traceable, and open.”
Read the full op-ed.