US Commerce Department to Publish GDP Data on Blockchain in Transparency Push

The US Commerce Department will begin publishing gross domestic product (GDP) figures on the blockchain, marking a significant step in the government’s adoption of distributed ledger technology. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced the initiative during a WHITE House cabinet meeting, framing it as part of a broader effort to modernize data distribution and enhance transparency.

The program will initially focus on GDP statistics, with plans to expand to other economic reports once technical and procedural hurdles are resolved. Lutnick emphasized blockchain’s potential to improve public access to government data while ensuring immutability and auditability.

The move aligns with the Trump administration’s January 2025 executive order promoting digital asset innovation. Lutnick credited White House crypto adviser David Sacks for spearheading the collaboration. This follows earlier government explorations of blockchain for accountability, including Elon Musk’s former Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E.) considering on-chain spending records.