In the New Cold War, Pakistan must transform surplus energy into digital firepower, using Bitcoin mining as a strategic asset to fortify economic defenses.

The Cold War (1947-1991) defined global power through a tense 44-year standoff, unveiling a lethal triad: intercontinental ballistic missiles, nuclear-powered submarines, and strategic heavy bombers. These advancements, paired with stealth technology and hardened silos, cast a shadow of mutually assured destruction over the world.  
Fast forward to 2025, and the battlespace has evolved. While kinetic dominance—rooted in firepower and physical force—remains a critical pillar of national defense, it now shares the stage with a digital theater where cyber operations and financial supremacy hold sway. In this ‘New Cold War,’ strength is measured not only in megatons but increasingly in megawatts and computational capacity, with Bitcoin mining and blockchain technology emerging as vital tools to secure economic fronts. 

In this ‘New Cold War,’ strength is measured not only in megatons but increasingly in megawatts and computational capacity, with Bitcoin mining and blockchain technology emerging as vital tools to secure economic fronts.

Is the modern battlefield transcending traditional warfare? While mass and maneuver, logistics, and rapid troop deployments remain vital pillars of military strategy, a new reality is emerging. Dominance increasingly depends on mastering digital networks and decentralized systems, where cryptographic security wields significant influence. Pakistan, weighed down by a USD 133 billion external debt and a fragile USD 11 billion in State Bank reserves—barely covering two months of imports—faces an economic siege. As International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailouts waver amid shifting global alliances, Pakistan possesses a strategic asset: 11,519 MW of operational hydropower capacity, a latent force poised for deployment in this digital contest. 
Bitcoin is a decentralized, cryptographic “munition” in the new cold war’s digital theater. Bitcoin is a weapon that disrupts enemy financial encirclement. Bitcoin secures strategic economic flanks. Bitcoin delivers precision strikes against centralized monetary control. Bitcoin’s cryptographic security (256-bit keys) is an impregnable bunker. Bitcoin resists cyber-attacks that cripple centralized grids. Bitcoin is not just a currency; it’s a force multiplier to outmaneuver adversaries in a borderless battlefield. 

Trump's "crypto capital," Putin's embrace of Bitcoin, and China's push for a digital yuan all signal that financial sovereignty is the new battlefield.

Like a Stinger missile toppling a chopper, Bitcoin’s decentralized blockchain topples dollar hegemony. As a tank column breaches fortified lines, Bitcoin’s decentralized ledger overruns monetary monopolies. Like a cruise missile striking a command bunker, Bitcoin’s blockchain obliterates dollar-centric control. Think of Bitcoin’s hash rate as artillery range. Envision Bitcoin’s hash rate as the thrust of a tank’s cannon volley. Think of Bitcoin mining as a state-led, military-aligned weapon in the "New Cold War”.  
Consider Bhutan, 2,072 km from Pakistan. This Himalayan nation leverages its hydroelectric surplus to mine up to 15 Bitcoins daily, amassing over 13,000 BTC—worth USD 1 billion, nearly 30 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP). Bhutan has turned power into prosperity. On March 4, 2025, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko directed his Energy Minister to follow suit, tapping surplus electricity for Bitcoin mining. Pakistan, with 11,519 MW of operational hydroelectric capacity, is primed for a similar move. By dedicating just 900 MW, we could mine 20 Bitcoins daily, generating USD 700 million annually—a strategic reserve to reinforce our monetary perimeter. 

Dominance increasingly depends on mastering digital networks and decentralized systems, where cryptographic security wields significant influence. 

Beyond hydropower, Pakistan’s untapped resources—150 shut-in gas wells, 70 orphaned wells, the Gharo-Keti Bandar wind corridor, and the Thar Coalfields—offer additional firepower. A military-led operation could secure these assets, channeling their output into Bitcoin mining to fortify our economic defenses. The infrastructure is straightforward: high-efficiency Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) miners, cooling systems, and power distribution upgrades, all deployable at strategic sites like Tarbela, Ghazi-Barotha, and Neelum-Jhelum, where military oversight ensures operational integrity. 
In the escalating ‘New Cold War,’ Pakistan with its 11,519 MW of hydropower and untapped energy reserves offer a strategic edge in the digital theater, where Bitcoin mining and blockchain technology are redefining power. By harnessing these assets, Pakistan can transform megawatts into economic resilience, countering financial encirclement with decentralized might.

The writer is an eminent analyst who regularly contributes for national and international print and electronic media. 
X: @SaleemFarrukh