Trump Official Tries to Break Crypto Bill Deadlock

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The White House’s top crypto adviser has emerged as a key figure in negotiations over the CLARITY Act as lawmakers attempt to resolve one of the biggest obstacles to passing landmark crypto bill. At the center of the talks are ethics provisions that Democrats argue should address President Donald Trump’s own crypto businesses. The negotiations come as Republicans push to move the legislation through the Senate before Congress begins its August recess.

Patrick Witt Becomes Key White House Negotiator

According to a Politico report from June 23, White House digital assets adviser Patrick Witt has been leading negotiations with senators over ethics language that could determine whether the CLARITY Act secures enough bipartisan support to pass.

Democrats have proposed restrictions that would prohibit federal officials, which includes the president and members of Congress, from sponsoring, endorsing or issuing digital assets as they’re in office. The precise language remains under negotiation, and it’s still unclear how any final agreement would affect the Trump family’s crypto ventures.

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Those ventures include the Trump memecoin (TRUMP) and World Liberty Financial (WLFI), the crypto platform backed by President Trump and his sons. Democrats have argued these businesses create potential conflicts of interest, whereas the White House has repeatedly rejected those claims.

Some lawmakers have questioned how much authority Witt has to negotiate on behalf of the administration. Senator John Kennedy said only President Trump can ultimately approve any final deal, and Senator Cynthia Lummis described Witt as an effective intermediary who maintains constant communication with senior White House officials throughout the negotiations.

Clarity Act Negotiations Continue Ahead of August Deadline

Beyond the ethics debate, Witt has also helped negotiate provisions designed to address disagreements between banks and crypto companies over the regulatory framework proposed in the CLARITY Act.

Several Republican lawmakers, including Senators Tim Scott, Thom Tillis, and Cynthia Lummis, praised Witt’s role in helping advance negotiations. David Sacks, who previously served as the White House’s crypto and AI czar and now co-chairs the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, called Witt “absolutely indispensable” in moving the legislation forward.

Negotiations have been taking place in closed-door meetings involving Republican Senators Lummis, Tillis, and Bernie Moreno, alongside Democratic Senators Adam Schiff, Ruben Gallego and Kirsten Gillibrand.

Though lawmakers say progress has been made, disagreements remain over issues including enforcement powers for state attorneys general and the final scope of the ethics provisions. Republicans continue to target a Senate floor vote before Congress adjourns for its August recess, though any final agreement will likely require direct approval from President Trump.