White House Adviser's $5M Coinbase Stake Sparks Conflict of Interest Concerns
White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett has been in the spotlight over his significant investment in Coinbase stock. According to recent disclosures, he owned between $1 million and $5 million in shares as of December 31, 2025.
Hassett's connection to Coinbase dates back to 2021 when he served on the company's Academic and Regulatory Advisory Council. He left this role in January 2025 after joining the Trump administration.
As a member of the National Economic Council, Hassett was involved in policy discussions that directly impacted the crypto industry. His investment has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, with former SEC ethics lawyer Shira Pavis Minton Kantor stating that the size of his holding represented 'a significant conflict of interest' or at least created an appearance of one.
Hassett has maintained that he stayed away from cryptocurrency-related matters while in office and consulted government ethics officials. The White House also defended his conduct, saying he 'has always and continues to fully comply with all ethical requirements.'