US to publish economic data on blockchain, Commerce chief says
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced at a White House cabinet meeting that the U.S. Department of Commerce will begin publishing economic statistics on a blockchain, starting with gross domestic product (GDP) figures. Lutnick described the effort as part of a broader push to expand blockchain-based distribution of government data across federal agencies.
According to Lutnick, the initiative will roll out first for GDP numbers, with other datasets to be added over time after the department finalizes implementation details and procedures for on‑chain publication.
The move follows examples from other countries and jurisdictions that have integrated distributed‑ledger technology into public systems. Estonia has used blockchain-style methods to secure e‑health records and digital identity infrastructure, while the European Union helped launch a permissioned network for cross‑border public services. Singapore and Australia have trialed blockchain for issuing and verifying trade documents, and a U.S. state agency recently digitized millions of vehicle titles on a permissioned chain to reduce fraud and streamline transfers.
Lutnick’s announcement comes amid ongoing public debate over the reliability of official economic statistics. Recent exchanges between the White House and economic agencies have featured sharp criticism of certain reports and forecasts, and high‑profile personnel moves in statistical agencies have drawn attention from economists and the public.
Observers note that although blockchain can provide tamper‑resistant storage, verifiable distribution and an auditable history of records, it does not by itself ensure the accuracy of the underlying data. Ensuring data quality still depends on robust collection, verification and governance processes before information is committed to any ledger.
