Bo Hines Leads Trump's Push for U.S. to Become Global Crypto Hub

Bo Hines is a former football player who is now one of the leaders of President Donald Trump's crypto agenda. Despite having no professional background in crypto and a law degree earned only three years ago from Wake Forest, the 29-year-old Hines is now working under former venture capitalist David Sacks, the first White House AI and crypto czar. Hines is focused on rewiring crypto regulation and making the United States the crypto capital of the world, as part of Trump's promise to welcome a golden age for digital assets.

Hines has a personal connection to digital assets, as his interest began in 2014 when he played in the BitPay-sponsored Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl while attending North Carolina State. He later explored regulatory issues related to crypto, became a retail investor, and pursued a career in public office, although he faced two unsuccessful campaigns for Congress in 2022 and 2024. However, he gained the endorsement of Trump in the 2022 primary and was subsequently appointed by Trump to lead his Council of Advisers on Digital Assets in late 2024. Currently, Hines is tasked with steering national crypto strategy under Sacks, with a focus on "moving at tech speed."

One of the group's initial priorities has been to dismantle what industry insiders refer to as "Operation Choke Point 2.0," an alleged crackdown by legacy banks on digital asset firms. Hines criticized the Biden administration for subjecting these firms to lawfare for the past four years, asserting that they play a crucial role in helping the American economy grow. Additionally, Hines mentioned that the group will soon reach its 60-day milestone and deliver its first set of recommendations. Although he did not disclose specific details, he hinted at various ideas, including proposals to update outdated IRS rules and establishing a "Strategic Bitcoin Reserve" through budget-neutral purchases. Hines emphasized the importance of acquiring as much bitcoin as possible for the American people, viewing it as digital gold, and stated that it would not cost taxpayers anything.

Potential Acquisition of Crypto Using U.S. Gold Reserves

Hines also mentioned the possibility of utilizing the unrealized value of U.S. gold reserves to acquire crypto, as proposed in the Bitcoin Act introduced by Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo. He expressed a willingness to explore creative ways to enter the crypto market. Furthermore, Hines revealed that he and Sacks have fully divested from crypto, although he refrained from commenting on whether others in the working group would do the same. He acknowledged the potential conflicts of interest arising from Trump's crypto-related financial entanglements but defended Trump's right to engage in any market as an American citizen.

Support from Regulators and Congress

Hines commended SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, who was appointed to lead a new crypto task force, and acknowledged the positive changes being made by regulators at the Commodities Futures Trading Commission. He noted that regulators are actively working to throw out lawsuits and rewrite enforcement rules. Additionally, Hines highlighted the recent advancement of stablecoin legislation by a bipartisan Senate committee, deeming it a monumental move with the potential to establish U.S. dollar dominance for decades and significantly impact financial markets.