According to Bloomberg, President-elect Donald Trump's team is considering creating a dedicated position on cryptocurrency policy - a first for the White House.
Bloomberg cited sources close to the matter, saying that Trump's transition team is vetting candidates for this role. However, a representative from Trump's transition team did not provide a comment when contacted by The Block.
It is unclear whether this role will be structured as a senior White House position or as a "crypto czar", Bloomberg reported.
During his campaign, Trump expressed strong support for cryptocurrencies. He pledged to fire U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Gary Gensler, reduce the life sentence for Ross Ulbricht - the founder of Silk Road, establish a Presidential Advisory Council on Cryptocurrencies, and build a national Bitcoin strategic reserve.
After winning the election, Trump has nominated several crypto-friendly individuals to key leadership positions. Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, was nominated for U.S. Secretary of Commerce, while Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a Bitcoin supporter, was nominated for Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Interest from the crypto industry
Leaders in the cryptocurrency industry have also been reaching out to Trump's team. According to The New York Times, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has discussed personnel appointments with Trump's associates. Additionally, executives from Circle have also had discussions with Trump's transition team.
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong is also reported to have spoken with Trump over the phone about cryptocurrencies in general and potential candidates for the SEC and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) leadership, according to Fortune.
