Introducing Paradigm’s Policy Anchors and New Policy Council Additions

Paradigm Policy Anchors

Following President Trump’s Executive Order on Crypto, and as the new Congress begins work on crypto legislation, we thought it would be a good time to share the Policy Anchors that have guided our firm’s advocacy over the past several years.

We believe that the heart of crypto is its openness and neutrality – its ability to provide universal access and resist censorship. Our Policy Anchors emphasize the importance of protecting these attributes, ensuring that public blockchains remain neutral and unencumbered. Regulatory objectives, such as countering fraud or systemic risk, can be addressed in ways that still foster innovation and accessibility for all.

Crypto is also an inherently forward-looking technology. While it’s already made an immeasurable impact on the financial system in the U.S. and globally, many of its most impactful applications have yet to be invented or even conceived. Premature or overly restrictive regulations risk stifling the creative potential of this space, cutting off possibilities before they even emerge. We cannot hobble this revolutionary technology as it takes its first steps. Guided by our Policy Anchors, Paradigm advocates for policies that balance regulatory clarity with flexibility, enabling mainstream adoption while leaving room for experimentation and long-term innovation.

Paradigm Policy Council

We are also taking this opportunity to add six new leaders and thinkers to our Policy Council, a group with deep expertise across a range of key issues. We are fortunate to have their expertise as we work to help put the misguided era of anti-crypto policy firmly in the rearview mirror. 

Ambassador Robert C. O’Brien

27th U.S. National Security Advisor

Robert C. O’Brien is the co-founder and Chairman of American Global Strategies, a geopolitical advisory firm. He currently sits on the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board (PIAB). Ambassador O’Brien was the National Security Advisor to President Donald J. Trump from 2019 - 2021, where he served as the President’s principal advisor on foreign policy and national security affairs. Prior to serving as NSA, O’Brien was the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs. O’Brien has had a distinguished career in public service in national security and foreign policy, and a notable career in private law. O’Brien is partner emeritus at Larson LLP in Los Angeles, a nationally recognized litigation boutique that he co-founded in 2016.

Johnny DeStefano

Former Counselor to President Donald J. Trump and Director of Presidential Personnel; Principal, Utility Strategic Advisors

Johnny DeStefano is a highly-respected Republican operative, whose experience serving in senior positions in both Congress and the White House gives him a unique perspective into today's political landscape. DeStefano most recently served in the Trump Administration, first as Assistant to the President and Director of Presidential Personnel (PPO), and later as an Assistant to the President and Counselor to the President. As Counselor to the President, DeStefano oversaw the Offices of Intergovernmental Affairs, Public Liaison, and Political Affairs, in addition to PPO. Prior to the White House, DeStefano was the President and CEO of Data Trust, the national Republican voter database and technology platform, and served as Senior Advisor for Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH). 

Alexander B. Gray

Chief Executive Officer of American Global Strategies; former Deputy Assistant Secretary to President Donald J. Trump and Chief of Staff of the National Security Council

Alexander B. Gray is the Chief Executive Officer of American Global Strategies, a national security and international affairs strategic advisory firm. Gray served as Deputy Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff of the National Security Council during the first Trump Administration, as well as Special Assistant to the President for the Defense Industrial Base at the National Economic Council. Gray was a member of the 2016 Presidential Transition Team at the US Department of State, and a Senior Advisor to former US Congressman Randy Forbes (R-VA).

Jen Brown

Vice President, BGR Group; Former Banking Counsel to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer

Jen Brown serves as Vice President at political advisory firm BGR Group. She previously served as Banking Counsel to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), where she advised the Majority Leader on all matters of financial policy, and represented him in negotiations between House and Senate Leadership and the White House on all financial legislation. Previously, Brown served as Tax and Economic Policy Counsel to senior Members of the Senate Finance Committee and House Financial Services Committee. Prior to Capitol Hill, Brown led financial policy at UnidosUS, the nation’s largest Hispanic rights and civic advocacy organization.

Van Jones

CNN Host, Founder of DreamMachine.org and Author of the Van Jones Substack

Van Jones is a U.S. media personality, entrepreneur and world-class changemaker who has a rare track record of bringing people together to do hard things – in areas as diverse as clean energy solutions, criminal justice reform and racial inclusion in the tech sector. In 2007, Van was the primary champion of the Green Jobs Act, signed into law by President George W. Bush, and in 2009, he worked in the Obama White House as the Special Advisor for Green Jobs. In 2018, he helped pass the FIRST STEP Act, signed into law by President Donald J. Trump, which the New York Times calls the most substantial breakthrough in criminal justice in a generation. In 2021, Jones was the first recipient of Jeff Bezos' Courage & Civility Award and has since founded Dream Machine Innovation Lab and launched RAPPORT.co, which uses A.I. to increase firms' EQ. A Yale Law School graduate, Van is a CNN host and an Emmy Award-winning producer. He is also a 3X New York Times best-selling author and the creator of the Van Jones Substack.

Kyle Layman

President of Oasis Strategies; Former Senior Advisor to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

Kyle Layman is president of Oasis Strategies, a California-based political advisory firm, where he advises Democratic Members of Congress, candidates, and political efforts. Previously, he served as Senior Advisor to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. During the 2024 political cycle, Kyle served as Executive Director of a Super PAC supporting Rep. Adam Schiff’s Senate candidacy, and a Super PAC aligned with the New Democrat Coalition.

Conclusion

Crypto represents a unique opportunity to build systems aligned with self-sovereignty, privacy, and economic freedom – values that resonate deeply with our country’s democratic ideals. By prioritizing openness, we can ensure this transformative technology thrives in a way that benefits everyone.

Crypto in the United States is at a key inflection point, and getting policy right over the coming months will set the foundation for extraordinary technological and economic growth in the decades to come. Paradigm Policy is proud to work alongside founders, industry partners, and federal policymakers from both parties in charting a path to a prosperous, abundant future. Let’s get to work.