The exit of Patrick Witt from his role as executive director of the President’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets has created a vacancy in White House crypto policy coordination. Witt’s temporary assignment, which stemmed from his position at the Department of Defense, ended around October 14, 2026.
Pattern of Departures
Witt is the third senior crypto official to leave the Trump administration in 2026. David Sacks, who served as the combined AI and crypto czar, departed in March after reaching the 130-day limit for special government employees. Deputy director Harry Jung left in July. Earlier, Bo Hines stepped down in August 2025.
White House Response and Priorities
A White House official told reporters that Witt’s work was appreciated and wished him well in future endeavors. The official did not comment on a successor but stated that crypto and the CLARITY Act remain priorities for the president. No new name has been publicly attached to in-house crypto initiatives.
Legislative and Regulatory Context
The CLARITY Act, aimed at establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets, has stalled in the Senate following a failed procedural vote. Earlier legislation, the GENIUS Act on stablecoins, was enacted. The administration continues to advance crypto-related work through agencies such as the SEC and CFTC, while a recent AI czar appointment no longer includes a crypto remit.
The White House maintains a broader staff of policy advisers, but the dedicated digital assets office now lacks an explicit leader.
