• Kevin Hassett disclosed owning Coinbase stock valued between $1 million and $5 million while in public office.
• He received over $50000 from Coinbase’s advisory council which includes former top US officials with Trump ties.
• The disclosure raised conflict concerns as Hassett helped shape US crypto rules through the National Economic Council.

Kevin Hassett, Director of the U.S. National Economic Council, has disclosed owning at least $1 million in Coinbase Global Inc. stock. The financial filing, released on June 3, places his vested holdings between $1 million and $5 million. 

🇺🇸 JUST IN: Trump's economic advisor Kevin Hassett discloses Coinbase holdings worth between $1 million to $5 million, per Bloomberg.

He also revealed receiving a salary of $50,001 from Coinbase for serving on the board. pic.twitter.com/dWqNb4EIvH

— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) June 4, 2025

Federal disclosure forms present asset values in wide ranges, which prevents the release of exact figures. Still, the size of Hassett’s stake is drawing significant attention due to his role in shaping economic policy.

Ties to Coinbase Advisory Council

In addition to his shares, Hassett received $50,000 for serving on Coinbase’s Academic and Regulatory Advisory Council. Notable figures on the council are Jay Clayton, former SEC Head and Courtney Elwood, the former General Counsel of the CIA. Both have prior affiliations with the Trump administration. 

These connections deepen concerns over potential conflicts of interest, especially as regulatory work around cryptocurrency continues to expand.

Crypto Policy and Potential Conflicts

Currently, Hassett chairs the National Economic Council and they have become more involved in cryptocurrency policy. Following an executive order signed by President Trump, the Council set up a digital asset work group. 

The team helps formulate new rules and promotes legislation to strengthen the United States’ role in digital finance. Due to Hassett being involved in this process while holding Coinbase stock, ethics concerns have emerged.

Notably, the disclosure does not clarify whether Hassett must divest his crypto-related holdings. That omission has triggered fresh debate over ethical standards for public officials. 

As federal agencies shape the future of digital assets, questions about transparency and fairness continue to surface. The timing of this financial revelation has further amplified the discussion.

Background in Government and Finance

Hassett has worked in important economic positions during the Trump administration. He served as chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers from 2017 until 2019. He came back in 2020 to assist the administration’s efforts to manage the economic impact of COVID-19. 

He acted as an advisor to One River Digital Asset Management, a financial service specialized in cryptocurrencies.

Coinbase Stock Reacts

Coinbase shares rose sharply following the news of Hassett’s disclosure. The stock climbed 4.95% during the latest trading session, closing at $258.91. It reached an intraday high of $260.51 and dropped to a low of $246.46. Trading volume totaled nearly 10 million shares, signaling active investor interest.