Donald Trump has officially announced the lineup of his new Board of Digital Asset Advisors, also known as the “Cryptocurrency Council.”
The mission is led by Bo Hines, a 29-year-old Yale graduate and former congressional candidate. He will serve as the council’s executive director, working alongside Trump’s “crypto czar,” David Sachs.
The goal is to advance America’s dominance in blockchain and digital assets while driving innovation in a sector that Trump says will be “the cornerstone of our nation’s technological progress.”
“I’m thrilled to announce the incredible team that will be working with White House AI and Crypto Czar David O. Sachs,” he said in a post on Truth Social. “Together, we will unleash scientific breakthroughs, ensure American technological dominance, and usher in a golden age of American innovation!”
Bo Hines: Trump's Pick to Lead Crypto Council
Beau’s appointment raised eyebrows, but Trump appears to have dented his decision. Beau, who played football at Yale before earning a law degree from Wake Forest University, brings a unique background to the role.
In 2022, he ran as a Republican for North Carolina’s 13th Congressional District, but lost to Democrat Wiley Nickel. While Poe’s crypto credentials are not public, Trump has made it clear that his confidence in Poe stems from his ability to deliver results in the high-stakes role.
Meanwhile, Sachs was proud of his love for cryptocurrencies. He first invested in Bitcoin two years after it was invented.
“Bo will work with David to advance innovation and growth in the digital asset space,” Trump said. “Together, they will create an environment where this industry can thrive.”
The council's work will also align with Trump's broader tech ambitions, which include advances in artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies.
Star-studded tech lineup
Michael J. Kratsios has been appointed director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and will serve as assistant secretary for science and technology. She will also serve on the board.
Kratsios, a Princeton University graduate and Stanford University fellow, is no stranger to Washington. During Trump’s first term, he served as the U.S. chief technology officer, a position the Senate unanimously confirmed.
He later served as Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, where he received the Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Medal.
Another member is Dr. Lynn Parker, who will join the Board as Executive Director of the Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) and Advisor to the Director of OSTP.
Parker previously headed the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Office. She holds a PhD in computer science from MIT and has been instrumental in shaping U.S. AI policy.
Trump stressed the importance of PCAST, saying it would bring together “the most brilliant minds in American science and technology.” David Sachs will also chair PCAST, doubling his responsibilities as a central figure in Trump’s technology agenda.
Next up is Sriram Krishnan, a former Microsoft engineer and founding member of Windows Azure, who will serve as senior policy advisor on AI. Working closely with Sachs and Parker, Krishnan will help coordinate AI policy across the government.
The announcement comes during a turbulent period for the cryptocurrency market. Bitcoin is on track to post its first weekly decline since Trump’s election victory. It has fallen more than 7% this week, standing at around $95,000 at press time, down from a record high of $108,000 on Dec. 17.
Ethereum Dogecoin saw even sharper declines, with the broader cryptocurrency market gauge down 10%. Analysts point to the Federal Reserve’s hawkish tone as well as Bitcoin’s rejection as a major factor.
Despite this, Trump’s genuinely pro-crypto stance has kept the market incredibly bullish in the long run. Another major priority is extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which is set to expire in 2025.
“We must work to ensure that the tax cuts I have implemented continue to benefit American families and businesses,” Trump said today. He also proposed eliminating taxes on Social Security benefits, providing tax breaks on auto loans on American-made vehicles, and reducing the corporate tax rate from 21% to 15% for U.S. manufacturers.
Trump is also taking aim at clean energy tax incentives put in place under the Biden administration, which he says have led to higher costs for consumers. “We cannot allow this subsidy to distort our energy market,” he said.
He proposed eliminating “double taxation” for Americans living abroad, simplifying their tax obligations and ensuring they are not penalized for their global connections.