The U.S. Department of State launched the Freedom Tech Excellence Program (FTEP) on Friday, naming the Bitcoin Policy Institute as a founding partner alongside Palantir Technologies, Anduril Industries, and the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. The program is structured as a talent-exchange initiative that will embed private-sector employees in diplomatic efforts aimed at advancing digital freedom and freedom of expression. The launch comes as President Donald Trump has made crypto a key focus during his second term, directing executive agencies to enact policies aimed at making the U.S. the crypto capital of the world.
State Department Structures FTEP as Private-Sector Talent Exchange
According to the government announcement on Friday, FTEP will embed private-sector employees in State Department initiatives focused on digital freedom. The Bitcoin Policy Institute stated on Friday on X that the program "brings private sector experts like BPI into the State Department to advance diplomatic efforts on key issues including online freedom of expression, privacy-enhancing technologies, countering digital surveillance, and responsible AI governance."
The assignments include efforts aimed at protecting First Amendment principles online, countering digital surveillance and online scams, advancing privacy-enhancing technologies, and working on responsible AI governance. The State Department wrote that "private sector participants gain firsthand insights into foreign policy and development, while contributing their specialized skills in new and emerging areas where the Department may lack sufficient in-house expertise."
Participating employees will take limited-term assignments while remaining employed by their home organizations, according to the announcement. The agency noted this is not a pathway toward full-time government employment.
Bitcoin Policy Institute and Partner Organizations Join FTEP
Launched in 2021, the Bitcoin Policy Institute calls itself a "non-profit, non-partisan think tank dedicated to advancing sound Bitcoin policy through research, education, and direct engagement with policymakers." Prominent bitcoin personality David Zell serves as president.
The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation is a non-profit organization set up by an Act of Congress in 1993, under President Bill Clinton, to raise money to create "a national memorial to honor the victims of communism." Palantir Technologies and Anduril Industries were also named as founding partners in the program.
Trump Administration Advances Crypto-Focused Policy Initiatives
President Donald Trump has made crypto a key focus during his second term, and has directed executive agencies to enact policies aimed at making the U.S. the crypto capital of the world. This includes his executive order establishing a national bitcoin reserve and crypto stockpile, comprised of apprehended assets from criminal seizures.
FAQ
What is the Freedom Tech Excellence Program launched by the State Department?
The Freedom Tech Excellence Program (FTEP) is a talent-exchange program launched by the U.S. Department of State on Friday that embeds private-sector employees in diplomatic initiatives aimed at advancing digital freedom and freedom of expression, including online freedom of expression, privacy-enhancing technologies, countering digital surveillance, and responsible AI governance.
Who are the founding partners of the Freedom Tech Excellence Program?
The founding partners of FTEP are the Bitcoin Policy Institute, Palantir Technologies, Anduril Industries, and the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, according to the government announcement on Friday.
