As Donald Trump assembles his potential administration team, the former president has named several crypto-friendly officials to key regulatory positions. Leading this group is David Sacks, a prominent Silicon Valley venture capitalist and podcast co-host, who has been appointed as the White House AI and Crypto Czar.
In this part-time role, Sacks won’t need to divest his assets or make public disclosures as he works to position America as a global leader in artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency. The initiative strictly prohibits central bank digital currencies from being promoted by any federal agencies.
The administration’s regulatory appointments continue with Jonathan Gould’s nomination as Comptroller of the Currency. Gould, who previously served as a top lawyer at the OCC and chief legal officer at Bitfury, is expected to pursue greater integration between traditional banking and cryptocurrency. Sacks brings valuable experience from his Craft VC fund investments in major crypto companies like BitGo and Bitwise.
His agenda may include reviving the concept of limited-purpose national bank charters for crypto companies and expanding banks’ involvement with digital assets, including stablecoins. The team aims to establish consensus mechanisms for smoother integration between traditional and digital finance systems.
Proposed regulatory changes could open doors for crypto firms to obtain specialized banking licenses and deepen traditional banking’s crypto involvement.
For the Commodity Futures Trading Commission chairmanship, Trump has selected Brian Quintenz, a former CFTC commissioner known for his pro-cryptocurrency stance.
Quintenz has publicly stated that the CFTC is prepared to guarantee U.S. leadership in blockchain innovation. His appointment signals the administration’s intention to roll back Biden-era digital asset policies.
Rounding out the key appointments is Jonathan McKernan, nominated to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
McKernan brings experience as a former Republican member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Treasury Department advisor. His previous role as an attorney for Senator Pat Toomey, a known advocate for stablecoin regulation, suggests he’ll likely steer the CFPB in a more business-friendly direction.
These appointments represent a significant shift in regulatory approach toward digital assets and blockchain technology.
The selections indicate Trump’s strategy to position the United States as a leader in cryptocurrency innovation while maintaining oversight through officials who understand both traditional finance and digital asset markets.
