Blockchain technology may be used to defend interests of the state. So says Russian Minister of Communications Nikolai Nikiforov.

Speaking to the reporters of the TASS State News Agency, Nikiforov suggested some not bitcoin-related applications for open ledger platforms.

“Blockchain as a new kind of technology is very interesting. It is useful for more than one purpose, not necessarily for cryptocurrency. We should look into it as to how it can be used in the interests of the state, for security matters,” noted Nikiforov.

According to the minister, the blockchain technology can be of service to the national economy and relationship “between the state and the individual.”

“There are plenty of ideas now how to use it,” said Nikiforov.

The Russian minister voiced his opinion on blockchain a few days after the US Department of Homeland Security advertised a new version of the grant program for small business innovation research (SBIR). It is looking for partners to investigate applicability of blockchain to the tasks of national security. The maximum award is $750 000.

Besides, the declaration of state interest to blockchain may be connected with another recent development. In the new draft version of the Russian administrative code penalties for use of “money surrogates” seem to make exception for bitcoin, which may ease the discussion on the cryptocurrency gaining momentum in crisis-hit Russia.

Roman Korizky