The world of crypto policy in Washington just saw a notable change. Bo Hines, a key advisor to President Donald Trump, is stepping down from his role. He’s leaving the White House to rejoin the private sector.
Hines served as the executive director for the White House Digital Asset Advisory Council. People often called it the “Crypto Council.” President Trump appointed him to this position in December 2024. Now, the council’s current deputy director, Patrick Witt, will take over.
Journalist Eleanor Terrett first reported Hines’s plan to resign on Saturday. Hines confirmed the news himself in a post on X. He stated his intention to keep supporting the crypto industry from outside government. “Together, we have positioned America as the crypto capital of the world,” he wrote. He called his work with David Sacks “an unforgettable honor.”
I am deeply grateful to the industry for its unwavering support; I love this community and everything we have built together. As I return to the private sector, I look forward to continuing to support the crypto ecosystem as it thrives here in the United States.
Serving in President Trump’s administration and working alongside our brilliant AI & Crypto Czar as Executive Director of the White House Crypto Council has been the honor of a lifetime. Together, we have positioned America as the crypto capital of the world. I’m…
— Bo Hines (@BoHines)
Patrick Witt Takes the Helm
Trump named Hines to the council just before his presidential inauguration in January 2025. Hines worked closely with David Sacks, known as the White House’s “crypto czar.” Their main goal was to push forward the Republican administration’s pro-crypto plans.
During his time in the role, Hines met with more than 150 people from the crypto industry. He did this in just three months. He acted as a vital link between White House policies, the industry, other government agencies, and Congress. Hines will still advise on artificial intelligence initiatives alongside David Sacks, who serves as both the AI and crypto “czar.”
Patrick Witt, who is expected to step into Hines’s role, has previous experience in the Trump administration. He served as Deputy Chief of Staff for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, according to The Block. Witt also holds the interim director position for the Office of Strategic Capital at the Department of Defense, which focuses on new technologies.
Like Hines, Witt was a college football player. However, he does not have known experience with companies in the crypto industry. Witt also faced a past accusation of sexual misconduct, which he denied, as reported.
David Sacks sent his farewell to Hines. He thanked him for “the excellent work done with the first Crypto Council.” Sacks highlighted “great achievements” like the signing of the GENIUS Act and the White House crypto report. These successes were partly due to Hines’s efforts. “As you move to your next stage, I hope I can count on your experience and advice,” Sacks wrote on X.
Thank you to @BoHines for the excellent work done with the first Crypto Council. Great achievements were made under his leadership, including the signing of the GENIUS Act and the first White House crypto report. As you move to your next stage, I hope I can count on your… pic.twitter.com/0000000000
— David Sacks (@davidsacks47) May 3, 2024