Edward Snowden uses Bitcoin to protect himself from the NSA when leaking classified information about government surveillance of the internet and mobile phones

In 2013, Edward Snowden, a former CIA agent and contractor for the National Security Agency (NSA), made headlines around the world when he leaked classified documents revealing extensive internet and phone surveillance by US intelligence. To facilitate the leak, Snowden utilized Bitcoin to maintain his anonymity.
 

Snowden’s use of Bitcoin was a strategic choice, leveraging the cryptocurrency’s ability to provide a degree of anonymity in transactions. He used Bitcoin to pay for the servers that hosted the information he disclosed. This allowed him to avoid traditional financial systems that could have easily traced the payments back to him, potentially jeopardizing the operation and his anonymity.
 

The NSA, known for its comprehensive surveillance capabilities, was actively working to track down Bitcoin users at the time, as revealed by documents provided by Snowden himself. The agency had prioritized Bitcoin as its number one target and was collecting a wealth of information to identify holders of bitcoins.
 

Snowden’s actions highlighted the dual nature of Bitcoin: while they can offer privacy benefits, they are also of interest to government agencies for the very same reason. His case underscored the importance of operational security when dealing with sensitive information and the potential role of bitcoin in achieving this.