Beyond Currency: How ‘Softwar’ is Redefining Bitcoin as a Strategic Defense System
The Orange Sponge
Bitcoin isn’t just money anymore. This isn’t just the view of a few fringe theorists—it’s the core argument in Major Jason Lowery’s Softwar: A Novel Theory on Power Projection, a thesis steadily gaining traction among policymakers, military strategists, and high-profile technologists.
In a nutshell, Lowery’s thesis says that Bitcoin’s proof-of-work mechanism should be seen not simply as a payment network, but as an electro-cyber defense system—a way to project real physical power (via electricity) in cyberspace.
Over the past year, the idea that Bitcoin is more than money has caught on in notable circles. For example, Michael Saylor—the well-known public advocate for Bitcoin and founder of a major business-intelligence firm—recently joined a Bitcoin Policy Institute event where he spoke in strikingly similar terms to Lowery.
He noted that Bitcoin’s ability to harness vast amounts of hashing power can effectively serve as a “digital defense system,” aligning with Lowery’s idea of a non-lethal security protocol that uses energy competitions to deter cyber threats. Saylor even went so far as to say that maintaining leadership in Bitcoin could be crucial to preserving America’s position as a dominant military power in the digital era.
Why does that matter to you and me? Because if Bitcoin is a power projection technology rather than just another investment vehicle or “cryptocurrency,” the stakes change dramatically. Nations that see this dimension of Bitcoin may invest heavily in mining infrastructure (hash rate) to safeguard their cyber interests.
Think of it the same way countries invest in naval fleets to secure sea lanes—the difference is that Bitcoin’s “fleet” is a global network of specialized hardware.
Lowery’s book dives into these concepts with a level of depth you won’t typically see in mainstream Bitcoin coverage. He begins in the realm of biology (Chapter 3) and historical human society (Chapter 4) to show how physical conflict, resource security, and deterrence evolved.
By Chapter 5, he’s applying these frameworks to cyberspace—suggesting that Bitcoin is the first large-scale example of a truly non-kinetic, energy-based form of warfare. It’s provocative, sure—but more people are paying attention now that influential figures like Michael Saylor are echoing the same themes.
Why This Series?
I’ve created a series that breaks down each chapter of Softwar in plain language. Rather than just summarizing, I’ll highlight specific insights that stood out—like Lowery’s argument on how abstract laws always rely on brute-force power in the end, or the rationale behind why “pack dynamics” in nature mirror how human societies form militaries.
Each post is designed to do two things:
Give you a guided tour of the book’s key sections. If you’re intrigued by an angle—say, “Mutually Assured Preservation” in cyberspace—I’ll point you straight to the relevant chapter or section in the original text.
Persuade you that Bitcoin, as ‘softwar,’ is an idea worth considering—whether you’re already into Bitcoin or simply curious about how technology shapes global power structures.
My hope is that you’ll want to read Softwar yourself. There’s no substitute for getting the full picture directly from the source. But if you only have time for a quick exploration, this blog series can be your crash course, showing how Lowery’s view is gaining real momentum among high-level thinkers.
Why It’s Worth Your Time
America and other nations are making crucial decisions right now that could shape the future of cybersecurity and digital finance. Are we going to overlook a powerful new deterrent tool simply because we’re used to seeing Bitcoin as “that volatile cryptocurrency”? Or will we see it as a novel way to exert—or safeguard—digital sovereignty? Major corporations like Saylor’s have already placed enormous bets on Bitcoin as a reserve strategy for financial reasons, but the next wave of thought treats Bitcoin as a strategic military asset.
If that piques your interest, you’re in the right place. In each post, we’ll explore how Lowery builds his theory step-by-step—starting in nature, moving to human society, and finally landing in the digital realm. We’ll see why big names are echoing his thesis on the global stage and why Softwar might be one of the most underappreciated conversations about Bitcoin’s potential.
Dig in! Each post will focus on one chapter and the sections within it, providing an accessible overview and calling out the areas where Lowery’s insights could have the biggest implications for everyone—from policymakers to everyday enthusiasts. By the end, you’ll have a strong grasp on why the “Bitcoin = digital money” narrative might be too small, and why more people should read Softwar to understand how this technology could reshape national defense as we know it.