Exclusive: Former Rep. Kinzinger says Bitcoin is no debt solution, but blockchain is useful

Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger pushed back on the idea that cryptocurrency could pay off the U.S. national debt, arguing that while blockchain has practical applications in government and finance, Bitcoin is not a viable solution for economic stability.

In a recent interview hosted by Saxo to mark President Donald Trump’s first 30 days in power, crypto.news was invited to submit questions. Kinzinger emphasized that while cryptocurrency may have a role in the financial system, it is not a solution for tackling national debt .

“Is crypto going to play a role? Yes,” Kinzinger said. “Is crypto going to end up being the end-all-be-all of all currencies? No, I don’t think so.”

Kinzinger argued that even if Bitcoin ( BTC ) were to reach the ultra-bullish predictions of $5 million per coin, as some advocates claim, it would not serve as a realistic tool for reducing the national debt . 

“Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe I’m old,” Kinzinger said. “Maybe I just don’t understand this enough, but typically there is importance in a government being able to control its own currency in terms of autonomy, interest rates, when to put more cash in, when to pull it out.”

He pointed out that paying off the debt entirely with Bitcoin or any cryptocurrency would likely result in severe inflation, destabilizing the economy rather than fixing it.

“The idea that crypto is going to grow and pay off the national debt and not be massively inflationary is just not possible. Look, the U.S. national debt, and probably the debt of countries around the world, is not going to get paid off in our lifetimes. It just isn’t.”

Instead of focusing on eliminating the debt, Kinzinger believes the priority should be slowing its trajectory and reducing the deficit. He argued that maintaining faith in America’s credit is key to long-term financial stability.

Kinzinger on blockchain technology

Kinzinger, who co-sponsored a bipartisan resolution in 2016 recognizing blockchain’s potential, reaffirmed his belief in the technology’s usefulness.

“No, I don’t think it’s changed,” Kinzinger said in response to blockchain’s potential. “What I haven’t done is kept up on AI and the increased computing power that has expanded blockchain’s capabilities. 

There are diverse interests in blockchain , according to Kinzinger, particularly concerning monitoring and implementation. 

Kinzinger is more interested in its practical applications. For example, blockchain could be beneficial in areas like government payments and healthcare systems (e.g., Medicare and Medicaid) by reducing fraud. 

Additionally, it can enhance the security of online transactions and help verify the authenticity of users on various platforms. Overall, blockchain holds significant potential.

“But on the larger theory, I think it plays a very important role and is something we shouldn’t look down on because what I’ve learned in my almost 47 years of living is anywhere an application exists that it works in one place.”

Despite recognizing blockchain’s potential, Kinzinger remained skeptical about Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies replacing traditional financial systems or serving as tools for national debt reduction.

Instead, he sees blockchain as a technology that enhances existing systems rather than revolutionizing them entirely.