White House Crypto Council Leader Departs Amid Legislative Gridlock

Witt, a Department of Defense employee, served on a temporary detail to coordinate cryptocurrency policy and navigate negotiations for the CLARITY Act. His exit follows a pattern of high-level attrition within the council; David Sacks departed in March, and deputy director Harry Jung followed in July. With Witt’s departure, the administration has yet to name a successor or clarify the future leadership structure of the council, which remains tasked with reconciling federal oversight between the SEC and the CFTC.

The legislative path for the CLARITY Act remains fraught. The bill failed a crucial procedural vote on September 15, falling short of the 60-vote threshold with a 49-50 result. Opposition largely centers on ethics provisions and concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest involving the President’s private cryptocurrency holdings. While industry groups like the Blockchain Association and the Solana Policy Institute praised Witt for his efforts to build consensus, his exit underscores the difficulty of advancing a comprehensive regulatory framework ahead of the November midterm elections.