Nearly 70 nominees and officials in the Trump administration reportedly hold crypto or investments in blockchain companies, with holdings ranging from modest sums to over $120 million.
Key Takeaways:
- Nearly 70 Trump administration officials and nominees hold crypto, with stakes up to $120 million.
- Several former crypto leaders who supported Trump’s 2024 campaign have secured government positions.
- The administration’s hands-off regulatory approach has coincided with a surge in Bitcoin’s price.
The group includes Vice President JD Vance and seven Cabinet members or nominees, who collectively disclosed at least $2 million in crypto assets, according to a detailed investigation by The Washington Post.
President Donald Trump himself has declared a personal stake of at least $51 million in digital assets amid the administration’s deep financial ties to the industry.
Crypto Leaders Behind Trump’s Campaign Secure Key Government Roles
Many of these officials are former tech and crypto leaders who supported Trump’s 2024 campaign before securing influential positions.
Some examples include Scott Kupor, managing partner at Andreessen Horowitz who is now head of the Office of Personnel Management, and Jonathan Gould, former chief legal officer at blockchain firm Bitfury and current leader of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
Others include ambassadors and regulators, with some holding among the largest individual crypto portfolios.
These include Ken Howery, Trump’s ambassador to Denmark with at least $122 million in digital assets.
Tilman Fertitta, ambassador to Italy and owner of the Houston Rockets, and Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, also reported between $1 million and $2 million in cryptocurrencies.
The widespread presence of crypto holdings among Trump’s appointees marks a notable shift in how digital assets are viewed at the highest levels of government.
The timing coincides with a largely hands-off regulatory approach from the administration toward digital currencies.
Policies supported by the crypto sector, including legislation on stablecoins, have advanced in Congress.
The SEC has paused or dropped litigation against numerous crypto firms, reversing the aggressive scrutiny of the previous administration.
Bitcoin’s price has surged to new highs during this period, doubling since last year, benefiting officials with holdings.
While some appointees have divested or plan to do so shortly after confirmation, the disclosures reveal a complex relationship between government officials and the crypto industry.
Critics warn that this creates potential conflicts of interest and normalizes risky crypto investments among public servants.
A New Era for Digital Assets
Meanwhile, the administration’s embrace of digital assets signals a new era where cryptocurrencies are firmly entrenched in government policy and personal portfolios.
High-profile officials with crypto assets include Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who divested before taking office, and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., holding between $1 million and $5 million.
The tech sector’s integration into government continues with figures like Scott Kupor and Jonathan Gould taking top roles.
Ambassadors such as Ken Howery, with $122 million in crypto holdings, underscore the asset’s popularity among Trump allies.
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