Key Takeaways
- Trump nominates pro-Bitcoin Matt Gaetz as Attorney General.
- Gaetz resigned from Congress to take the DOJ role, ending an ethics probe.
- Gaetz may prioritize digital asset regulation within the DOJ.
On November 13, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump nominated Representative Matt Gaetz as Attorney General, signaling potential shifts in the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) approach to Bitcoin and regulatory policies.
Gaetz, a Florida congressman with a pro-Bitcoin stance, resigned from Congress following the nomination, ending an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation into alleged misconduct.
Gaetz’s pro-Bitcoin stance
Gaetz has been a vocal advocate for Bitcoin in Congress.
In June, he introduced a bill to allow Americans to pay federal taxes in Bitcoin, inspired by a visit to El Salvador following the country’s adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender.
Gaetz stated his aim was to modernize the U.S. tax system, aligning it with digital currency innovations.
With his new DOJ position, Gaetz is anticipated to promote a balanced regulatory approach to support growth.
Trump’s endorsement
In a social media post, Trump endorsed Gaetz, commending his commitment to “reform” at the DOJ.
Gaetz, who served on the House Judiciary Committee, has focused on federal agency oversight and is expected to address what he describes as “government weaponization” within these agencies.
His pro-Bitcoin stance is likely to bring cryptocurrency issues to the forefront in the DOJ, potentially easing regulatory barriers for digital assets.
Gaetz has a history of bipartisan efforts in Congress, including the introduction of the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century (FIT21) Act to support innovation in digital assets.
In his DOJ role, Gaetz may prioritize policies that position the U.S. more favorably within the global digital economy.
