Patrick Witt has stepped down as executive director of the White House Crypto Council, leaving the council without staff, the White House confirmed. The council, which launched in mid-2025, has now lost all of its key personnel.
Witt's departure marks the latest in a series of exits from the council. Bo Hines, who served as policy lead, departed in the third quarter of 2025. David Sacks, the former chair, left in March 2026, followed by Harry Jung, the former deputy director, in July 2026. Witt had been the sole remaining staffer before his exit.
Impact on the CLARITY Act
The CLARITY Act, legislation designed to establish regulatory clarity for the cryptocurrency industry, has stalled in the Senate amid opposition from the banking industry and Senate Democrats. The bill had been anticipated as a potential framework for crypto regulation in the United States.
Industry observers had expressed hope that the legislation could be revived following the November midterm elections, with some projecting a possible passage by December. However, market pricing now reflects less than a 30% chance the bill could pass by 2028, according to trading data.
Questions About Policy Direction
The departure of the council's last staff member raises concerns about coordination of the administration's crypto policy efforts. Eleanor Terrett, a former FOX Business reporter who reported on Witt's exit, questioned whether the White House remains prioritized on advancing the industry's agenda after the CLARITY Act's stall in the Senate.
In his exit statement, Witt expressed confidence in pro-industry regulators and elected officials, stating he believes the future of digital asset innovation in America is secure. He indicated more details on next steps would be forthcoming.
