Patrick Witt to Take Helm of White House Crypto Council as Bo Hines Steps Down

Bo Hines, the former college football standout turned crypto advocate, is leaving his position as head of the Presidential Council of Advisers for Digital Assets — better known as the “crypto council” — to return to the private sector. The transition, first reported by journalist Eleanor Terrett, will see Hines’ deputy, Patrick Witt, step into the top role.

While stepping down from day-to-day leadership, Hines will maintain an advisory role, supporting White House AI and Crypto czar David Sacks on artificial intelligence initiatives. “As I return to the private sector, I look forward to continuing my support for the crypto ecosystem as it thrives here in the United States,” Hines wrote in an X post confirming the move.

Appointed by President Trump in December 2024, Hines quickly established himself as an industry liaison, meeting over 150 stakeholders in just his first three months. He previously described his office as a “sherpa” guiding policy between the White House, industry leaders, and Capitol Hill.

Patrick Witt, Hines’ successor, brings a mix of government and sports credentials to the role. A former Yale quarterback and NFL free agent, Witt also served as Deputy Chief of Staff at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management during Trump’s first term. He re-entered public service in 2025 as deputy director of the crypto council and acting director of the Department of Defense’s Office of Strategic Capital, which invests in emerging technologies. While Witt has not worked directly in the crypto sector, his Pentagon experience aligns with the council’s broader focus on innovation policy.

The leadership change comes as the White House continues to refine its approach to cryptocurrency and emerging technologies — with Witt now tasked with steering policy in a fast-evolving regulatory landscape.