The White House Crypto Council, which coordinates President Donald Trump's digital asset policy, has lost its final staffer. The White House confirmed on Wednesday that executive director Patrick Witt's temporary posting has ended.
Witt, a Department of Defense employee on temporary loan to the council, is expected to return to his Georgia National Guard service. No official has been publicly named to manage crypto policy operations moving forward.
Leadership Departures Mount
Witt's exit leaves the council without staff support. Deputy director Harry Jung departed at the end of July. David Sacks, who served as Trump's AI and crypto czar, left his post in March after reaching the 130-day limit for special government employees, with no replacement announced.
Witt became executive director in August 2025, following Bo Hines, the council's first leader, who returned to the private sector.
Policy Development at a Crossroads
The staffing losses coincide with setbacks in legislative efforts. In September, a Senate vote on the CLARITY Act, which would establish federal rules for US crypto markets, fell short of the 60 votes needed to advance.
With the White House council depleted, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission are developing crypto rules independently. Policy analysts have suggested Congress may not revisit the CLARITY Act before January 2027.
Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Focus
During his tenure, Witt served as the administration's primary public voice on the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, a federal repository of seized Bitcoin created by executive order in March 2025. He indicated officials were exploring ways to expand the reserve's holdings.
Last week, wallets linked to the US government moved approximately $1 billion in Bitcoin, according to blockchain tracking data.
