Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao, CZ, has joined the call for greater transparency in public spending by suggesting that governments adopt blockchain technology.
In a recent post on social media platform X, CZ proposed tracking all government expenditures using an immutable public ledger. “Unpopular opinion: All governments should track all their spending on the blockchain — an immutable public ledger. It’s called ‘public spending’ for a reason,” he wrote on January 25.
CZ’s remarks align with ongoing discussions about leveraging blockchain to improve fiscal accountability. Reports have surfaced of Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) exploring the potential of blockchain to monitor government spending and address the growing federal deficit in the United States. The idea has gained traction among advocates of small government and sound money, who emphasize the importance of transparency in addressing fiscal challenges.
The push for onchain tracking comes amid rising concerns over government debt, inflation, and fiscal irresponsibility. Blockchain technology, known for its transparency and security, could provide a solution by enabling real-time, public tracking of how governments allocate funds.
Since the 1971 decision by then-President Richard Nixon to abandon the gold standard, the U.S. dollar has operated as a fiat currency without a fixed backing. This shift allowed for increased flexibility in monetary policy but also contributed to the rapid expansion of national debt, which now exceeds $36 trillion. Without the constraints of a gold peg, the money supply has grown significantly, diluting the dollar’s purchasing power over time.
Blockchain-based systems, such as Bitcoin’s public ledger, offer an alternative to traditional monetary frameworks by promoting fixed supply and decentralized accountability. Proponents argue that such systems could curb inflation and encourage responsible fiscal policies.
The growing U.S. national debt has raised alarms among economists and policymakers. A 2023 report from the Congressional Budget Office warned of worsening annual deficits, projecting that the federal government’s budget shortfall would double within a decade. This has sparked debates about innovative solutions, including blockchain-based tracking and even integrating Bitcoin into national fiscal strategies.
Former President Donald Trump floated the idea of addressing national debt with Bitcoin in an August 2024 interview. Similarly, asset manager VanEck proposed that a Bitcoin strategic reserve could reduce the national debt by 35% over 25 years.
CZ’s proposal reflects a broader interest in leveraging blockchain technology to enhance government accountability and efficiency. While the adoption of such systems would require significant political and technical hurdles, the potential benefits—greater transparency, reduced corruption, and improved fiscal discipline—could outweigh the challenges.
As discussions about blockchain and public spending continue, policymakers face a critical question: can blockchain offer a sustainable solution to the fiscal challenges of the modern era? For advocates like CZ, the answer is clear—transparency is key, and blockchain could be the tool to achieve it.
