Donald Trump crypto policy team hits a wall as top advisers exit

The vacuum in the White House

Real talk: the vibes in the D.C. crypto scene are feeling a bit off. After President Donald Trump made a hard pivot to embrace digital assets—even setting up a fancy Council of Advisors for Digital Assets—that momentum seems to have hit a major snag. Patrick Witt, the last remaining crypto adviser running that office, has officially dipped, leaving a massive question mark over who is actually steering the ship on crypto policy.

When the White House recently tapped a new AI czar, the position—which used to pull double-duty for both AI and crypto—dropped the crypto remit entirely. A White House official confirmed Witt’s departure to CoinDesk but stayed tight-lipped on who might be taking over, insisting that the "Crypto and Clarity Act will continue to be a priority."

A history of high-profile departures

The office has been a revolving door of sorts. It kicked off in 2025 with David Sacks serving as the lead czar. Then came Bo Hines, who became the face of the White House crypto push and helped push the GENIUS Act across the finish line. Hines eventually left for a gig at Tether. Following him, Witt took the reins and fought hard for the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, often taking to X to vent his frustrations as the bill stalled.

Now, with Witt moving to the private sector and the appointment of former SEC Chairman Jay Clayton as the new lead for a "Super Intelligence Force" that specifically excludes crypto, the industry is left wondering who they should even be hitting up. Clayton, notably, led the SEC during the era where "regulation by enforcement" became the industry’s biggest L.

Why it matters

For anyone stacking sats or watching the markets, this is a major plot twist. While Congress might still try to push through some legislation after the November elections, the lack of a clear point person in the White House creates serious uncertainty. Remember: this isn't financial advice, and in the world of policy, when the seat is empty, things usually move at a glacial pace. Stay alert and keep your risk tolerance in check while the dust settles.