Trump brings the most pro-bitcoin administration: here’s who’s on his team

This time, something is fundamentally different about Donald Trump’s team as he prepares to enter the White House for his second term on January 20th.

While bitcoin (BTC) and the broader crypto market were largely seen as speculative mania during his first term, Trump is now poised to become the first US President to advocate for bitcoin. His team is brimming with supporters of the technology.

From the Vice President to candidates for top agency positions, this administration would have been hard to imagine for many bitcoin and crypto supporters even a year ago. Moreover, BTC and crypto advocates can also be found in unique roles directly related to crypto assets, as this Trump administration is the first in US history to appoint a Crypto Czar.

Let’s take a look at who’s on this team (while some nominees still need to be confirmed).

Donald Trump

We can’t overlook Donald Trump himself. The President-elect made a full turnaround last year, becoming a bitcoin and crypto advocate and gaining support from the industry in the form of millions in fundraising and vocal endorsements. The recent rally in BTC prices has also been largely attributed to hopes that the US stance towards this industry will become more friendly. Moreover, last year, Trump took on the role of "Chief Crypto Advocate" at a crypto project supported by his family, World Liberty Financial.

JD Vance

JD Vance, the Vice President-elect, is known for his positive comments about bitcoin and his efforts to promote pro-crypto legislation in the Senate. He has also invested in BTC, with public records showing earlier holdings of $250,000–$500,000. Vance may oversee crypto-related matters in this administration alongside other dedicated officials.

Scott Bessent

Scott Bessent, Trump’s nominee for Treasury Secretary, is a billionaire hedge fund manager and vocal supporter of bitcoin. He describes it as a freedom technology and the future of finance, aligning with Republican values. This week, Bessent announced he is also opposed to the idea of a US central bank digital currency (CBDC), arguing there is no need for such a form of money. He also revealed plans to sell his $250,000–$500,000 holding in a bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) before assuming his position.

Howard Lutnick

Howard Lutnick, CEO of investment giant Cantor Fitzgerald, is slated to become the next Commerce Secretary. Lutnick has repeatedly emphasized that crypto assets represent an important new asset class. "When you truly understand bitcoin, it's hard to see it any other way," he remarked last year, likening BTC to gold or oil. Cantor Fitzgerald even announced plans in November to launch a bitcoin financing business to provide leverage to BTC investors.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., former presidential candidate and Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary, is a controversial figure due to his anti-vaccine stance and conspiracy theories. However, he is also an advocate for bitcoin, calling it the "currency of freedom" and stating he has invested "most of his wealth" into BTC.

Michael Waltz

Michael Waltz, the new National Security Adviser, has served as the US representative for Florida's 6th congressional district since 2019. He is known for investing in BTC and supporting pro-crypto legislation in Congress.

Tulsi Gabbard

Tulsi Gabbard, nominated as National Intelligence Director, has supported pro-crypto legislation and delivered a keynote at a bitcoin conference in 2023. She has criticized the Biden administration for failing to recognize bitcoin’s potential and has disclosed investments in crypto assets such as litecoin (LTC) and ethereum (ETH).

Elon Musk

Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been appointed to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk has a mixed track record as a bitcoin advocate and critic but is well-known for his support of the Dogecoin (DOGE) meme coin and his role in influencing the meme coin market.

Vivek Ramaswamy

Another prominent Bitcoin advocate, entrepreneur, and former presidential candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy, was appointed as a co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency. However, on Trump's inauguration day, he said that he would be leaving DOGE to launch his campaign for governor in Ohio.

Paul Atkins

Paul Atkins, nominated as Chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), would replace Gary Gensler, who has faced criticism from the crypto industry for enforcement action, while even courts criticized the SEC for overstepping his authority. "If the SEC were more accommodating and engaged directly with these various [crypto] firms, it would be much better for activities to occur here in the United States rather than abroad,” Atkins said during a podcast last year.

The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) still awaits a nominee, but candidates to lead this agency include crypto advocates like Brian Quintenz, a former CFTC commissioner, and Marco Santori, former Chief Legal Officer of Kraken, a major crypto exchange.

David O. Sacks

Tech and crypto investor David O. Sacks, known for his criticism of US support for Ukraine, has been appointed as the White House AI and Crypto Czar. His role will involve developing a legal framework for the crypto industry.

Bo Hines

Bo Hines, a former football player and unsuccessful congressional candidate, will lead the Presidential Council of Advisers for Digital Assets, also called the "Crypto Council." Hines has described cryptocurrency as "the epitome of individual empowerment in finance" and advocated for a hands-off approach to foster organic growth in the sector.

While some of these nominees still require Senate confirmation, and many positions remain unfilled, it is likely that more crypto-friendly candidates will join the administration as bitcoin and crypto gain legitimacy and adoption.