Tether Hires Former Trump Administration Official Bo Hines as Strategic Advisor

Tether has appointed Bo Hines, who recently exited his role as President Trump’s crypto advisor, as its strategic advisor for digital assets and U.S. strategy on Tuesday.

A press release from Tether stated that Hines will work alongside the company’s leadership to “shape and execute the company’s entry into the U.S. market.” This includes developing “constructive relationships” with policymakers and industry stakeholders.

“Bo’s role illustrates our aspiration to cultivate a robust U.S.-based presence across various sectors,” said Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino in a statement. “His profound knowledge of the legislative landscape, coupled with his enthusiasm for practical blockchain implementation, makes him an invaluable resource as Tether ventures into the largest market globally.”

Prior to this, Hines was the Executive Director of the President’s Council of Advisers on Digital Assets, leaving the position only last week. At 29, he significantly influenced the Trump administration’s policies on stablecoins and digital assets, including plans to create a Bitcoin reserve.

“Throughout my public service, I saw how stablecoins could revolutionize payments and promote financial inclusion,” Hines stated. “I am excited to join Tether at such a crucial time, working towards providing a suite of products that will establish the standard for stability, compliance, and innovation in the U.S. market—empowering American consumers and reshaping our financial system.”

Tether’s U.S. Strategies

Hines’ appointment follows the recent passage of the GENIUS Act, a landmark law establishing a framework for stablecoin issuance in the U.S.—a law to which Hines contributed significantly.

Before the GENIUS Act was enacted, Tether CEO Ardoino openly considered launching a new stablecoin exclusively for the U.S. market to comply with an earlier draft of the Act that imposed stricter regulations on foreign issuers like Tether. However, shortly after Trump signed the Act into law, Ardoino expressed his intention to make Tether’s flagship stablecoin, USDT, compliant with this new legislation.

“We will diligently ensure we adhere to the foreign issuer pathway outlined in the GENIUS Act,” Ardoino remarked to Decrypt. “It’s surprising that some believe Tether will not comply.”

Tether remains the foremost stablecoin issuer by a significant margin, with its flagship USDT boasting a market capitalization of $167 billion, as per CoinGecko. In contrast, the second-largest stablecoin, Circle’s USDC, stands at merely $68 billion.