In a striking example of how digital assets are intersecting with global geopolitics, recent US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites reportedly targeted not just physical infrastructure, but also secret Solana blockchain nodes operating underground. This development highlights the growing integration of cryptocurrency networks into the fabric of international security and conflict .
Anza’s Intelligence and the Pentagon’s Response
Anza, a key player in the crypto sector, provided critical intelligence to US authorities ahead of the operation. According to Max Resnick, Anza’s Lead Economist, his team identified and compiled the addresses of Iranian Solana validators—nodes that help secure and validate transactions on the Solana blockchain. This information was then shared with the Pentagon, which used it to inform the targeting of three major nuclear enrichment sites in Iran, including the Fordow and Isfahan facilities .
The US deployed four B-2 bombers equipped with bunker-buster munitions to carry out the strikes. The operation reportedly resulted in the elimination of these underground Solana nodes, which were believed to be facilitating covert financial transactions for the Iranian regime .
Crypto’s Expanding Role in Geopolitics
This incident underscores a new reality: cryptocurrencies and blockchain infrastructure are no longer just financial tools—they are now part of the broader landscape of cyber and kinetic warfare. As nations and institutions increasingly turn to digital assets for transactions during periods of uncertainty, the security and control of blockchain nodes have become matters of national interest .
The use of crypto in conflict is not limited to state actors. Recent cyberattacks on Iran-based exchanges, such as Nobitex, and the use of cryptocurrencies for funding logistics and equipment in war zones, further illustrate the sector’s growing strategic importance .
Market Impact and Industry Reactions
The airstrikes and the targeting of Solana nodes have sent ripples through the crypto market, with some analysts noting increased volatility and liquidations in the wake of the news . Solana Labs’ co-founder, Anatoly Yakovenko, described the episode as “Echoes of Block Wars,” reflecting the industry’s awareness of the high stakes now attached to blockchain infrastructure.
