Following the departure of Bo Hines, President Donald Trump’s former crypto adviser, the spotlight now falls on Patrick Witt, who is set to take on the role of leading the industry’s political initiatives in Washington. With the ongoing quest for comprehensive regulations across the crypto sector and the establishment of a federal crypto stockpile, Witt steps into this critical position to advocate for the industry’s interests.
Witt’s journey mirrors that of his predecessor Hines, as both started as ex-football stars at Yale, pursued law degrees, and ventured into the political realm with aspirations of serving in Congress. Interestingly, Witt previously played as a free-agent quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, having led the same Yale Bulldogs team that Hines later joined as a wide receiver. Aligning themselves closely with Trump in recent years, both former athletes now find themselves intertwined in the political landscape, with Witt assuming the role of the industry liaison for the White House, following in Hines’ footsteps.
As the new executive director of the President’s Council of Advisers on Digital Assets, Witt steps into the position without an extensive background in crypto, a scenario reminiscent of Hines’ entry into the role. Despite this, industry insiders express optimism about Witt’s ability to drive policies that will position the United States as a global hub for crypto innovation and development.
“We have collaborated with Patrick throughout the year and are eager to see him continue implementing policies that will elevate the United States as a leader in crypto innovation,” remarked Miller Whitehouse-Levine, CEO of the Solana Policy Institute.
Having introduced Trump at a rally in 2022, Witt emphasized the need to address government inefficiencies, despite his Harvard Law School education and experience at the federal level, where he identifies as a “public servant” on his LinkedIn profile.
With a professional background that includes a tenure at McKinsey & Co., as well as roles at the Office of Personnel Management during the first Trump administration and the Department of Defense, Witt brings a wealth of experience to his new position. However, his political endeavors in Georgia faced setbacks, including an unsuccessful bid for the state’s insurance commissioner and a brief attempt at running for Congress.
While his predecessor celebrated a milestone with the passing of the first U.S. crypto legislation governing stablecoins, Witt faces a challenging agenda upon Congress’s return from recess. Progress on the Senate version of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act and the development of the administration’s Bitcoin Strategic Reserve are among the priorities awaiting Witt’s attention.
Expressing gratitude for the community’s support as he bid farewell, Hines left a legacy that Witt now inherits. Reiterating his commitment to the crypto ecosystem in the U.S., Hines expressed his eagerness to continue supporting its growth even as he transitions to the private sector.
While Witt echoes similar sentiments, his specific plans and strategies remain undisclosed as of yet. The White House has not released a statement regarding his promotion, leaving industry stakeholders anticipating Witt’s approach in his new role. Notably, David Sacks continues to serve as President Trump’s senior crypto policy chief.
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