Former college football player and United States House Republican candidate Bo Hines has been named the executive director of the Presidential Council of Advisers for Digital Assets by incoming President Donald Trump.
Dubbed the “Crypto Council,” Hines will work alongside tech entrepreneur and Artificial Intelligence and Crypto Czar David Sacks to create a regulatory framework for the digital assets sector, as confirmed by Trump in a Dec. 22 Truth Social post.
Appointed last month as Trump’s AI and Crypto Czar, David Sacks will spearhead the newly formed crypto council, tasked with shaping digital asset policies, collaborating with Congress on regulatory frameworks, establishing a Bitcoin reserve, and coordinating efforts with key agencies like the SEC, CFTC, and the Treasury.
Sacks and Hines—both seen as staunch advocates for the crypto industry—are expected to drive innovation, create growth opportunities, and ensure industry leaders have the tools needed to thrive in an evolving digital economy, Trump wrote, adding:
“Together, they will create an environment where this industry can flourish and remain a cornerstone of our Nation’s technological advancement.”
In a Dec. 23 X post, Hines expressed his enthusiasm for taking up the new role, calling it an “honor of a lifetime.”
The crypto community has largely welcomed Hines’ appointment with optimism, viewing it as a positive step toward regulatory clarity and industry growth. Prominent figures, including MicroStrategy’s Michael Saylor and Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson, have publicly congratulated Hines. See below.
Hines ran for the House this year in North Carolina’s 6th District but fell short in the Republican primaries, placing fourth among the candidates. In his previous bid in 2022, Hines ran for North Carolina’s 13th District but narrowly lost to Democrat Wiley Nickel in the general election.
The former football player has also received backing from influential pro-crypto political action committees, including the American Dream Federal Action super PAC. Additionally, during his 2022 congressional campaign, he was supported by former FTX executive Ryan Salame, who is currently serving time for campaign finance violations.
Hines’ appointment reflects Trump’s ongoing strategy of surrounding himself with pro-crypto allies as he builds his new administration. This approach aligns with his earlier nomination of former SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins, a well-known advocate for clearer crypto regulations, to replace outgoing SEC Chair Gary Gensler, whose tenure has been marked by regulatory uncertainty, frequent lawsuits, and aggressive enforcement actions against the crypto industry.
