The Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI) has joined the U.S. State Department’s new Freedom Tech Excellence Program (FTEP) as a founding partner, giving its experts an opportunity to work directly with government officials on projects focused on digital freedom and online rights.
The programme brings specialists from private organisations into the State Department for temporary assignments, where they will provide expertise on issues such as online free speech, privacy tools, digital surveillance, cybersecurity threats, scams, encryption technologies, and responsible artificial intelligence governance.
BPI announced its participation on July 24, saying its staff will work alongside State Department experts to help protect digital freedoms around the world. However, details about how many employees will participate, where they will be assigned, and when the placements will begin have not yet been released.
The Bitcoin Policy Institute, founded in 2021, is a non-profit research organisation focused on Bitcoin policy, national security, financial inclusion, energy, and human rights. The group has often argued that technologies such as encryption and open financial networks can help people living under restrictive governments maintain access to information and financial services.
Importantly, BPI’s involvement does not mean the State Department is launching a Bitcoin initiative. The Freedom Tech Excellence Program focuses on broader digital-policy issues rather than cryptocurrency adoption. While BPI staff may provide insights on privacy technology and censorship-resistant systems, the programme is not connected to Bitcoin reserves, crypto regulation, or digital asset licensing.
Other founding partners include defence technology companies Palantir Technologies and Anduril Industries, along with the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. Together, these organisations bring expertise in technology, policy, national security, and human rights.
The State Department says participants will remain connected to their organisations while supporting government projects for a limited period. This approach allows the government to access specialised technical knowledge without creating permanent positions, while participants gain firsthand experience with diplomacy and international policy.
BPI’s involvement in the programme is separate from its support for Bitcoin-related legislation and strategic reserve proposals. Although the organisation has advocated for broader Bitcoin adoption in U.S. policy, the new partnership is focused specifically on digital freedom initiatives rather than cryptocurrency policy.
For now, the programme gives BPI a seat at the table in discussions about online freedom, privacy, and emerging technologies. More details are expected once the State Department announces specific assignments and participating teams.
 has joined the U.S. State Department’s new Freedom Tech Excellence Program (FTEP) as a foundin...){kind=link}