Rep. Tom Emmer appointed as vice chair of Digital Assets Subcommittee

Pro-cryptocurrency Representative Tom Emmer has been named vice chair of the House Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Artificial Intelligence.

"I am honored to have been selected," Emmer wrote on X Tuesday. “With President Trump in the White House, and Gary Gensler confined to the waste bin of Washington, we have an excellent opportunity to ensure that the future of digital assets is guided by Americans, with American values.”

The Minnesota representative has been a vocal supporter for the crypto sector and has introduced crypto-focused bills in the past few years, including one that aimed to provide clarity on the classification of digital assets.

Digital Assets Subcommittee chairman French Hill said in Tuesday’s statement that the committee will work to tackle challenges and shape a regulatory framework that balances innovation and investor protection. Hill was voted to lead the subcommittee in December following former chair Patrick McHenry’s retirement. Upon his appointment, Hill emphasized the importance of a market structure for digital assets — whereas, under Gensler’s SEC, the industry faced regulation by enforcement.

The U.S. crypto industry now looks to Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, anticipating a positive change in blockchain and crypto policies. During his campaign, Trump made multiple pro-crypto election promises, including the creation of a national bitcoin reserve, increased support for miners and stopping efforts toward establishing a U.S. CBDC.