Netanyahu Says He Has Asked for a Blockchain Plan in Case of Banking Sanctions

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has asked for a plan that would use blockchain to help Israel's economy cope with possible economic sanctions, including restrictions on its banks, The Block reported.

What he said

In an interview broadcast Friday on Israel's Channel 10, Netanyahu said the country should prepare an economy able to work around sanctions if they come. Asked whether he saw blockchain as one alternative, he said it was and that he had already requested a plan, according to The Block's account of a translated transcript. Ynetnews also reported that he called for preparing an economy that could evade sanctions and named blockchain as one option.

He did not say who would draw up the plan, which networks or digital currencies it might use, or when it could take effect.

Wider context

In the same interview, Netanyahu warned that U.S. military aid would not last forever and said Israel must be able to produce more of its own weapons and ammunition. He said he had set aside an additional 400 billion shekels, about $129 billion, for defense over the coming years, The Block reported.

Why it matters for crypto

It is unusual for a sitting head of government to describe blockchain as a possible tool against sanctions. Any concrete plan would likely face close scrutiny from regulators and allies, as sanctions enforcement is a major focus for financial authorities. For now, the remarks are a contingency idea rather than an announced policy, and there is no sign of a specific token or system being chosen.