Todd Blanche, previously the Deputy Attorney General, has been named interim Attorney General following the removal of Pam Bondi. President Trump announced the change on Thursday, stating that Bondi would be transitioning to the private sector. Blanche, who defended Trump in his criminal case in New York, assumed the role on April 2, 2026.
Blanche is known in the crypto space for authoring a Department of Justice memo titled “Ending Regulation by Prosecution”. This memo signaled a shift in the DOJ's approach to digital assets, emphasizing a focus on prosecuting individuals who victimize digital asset investors or use crypto for criminal activities like terrorism and drug trafficking, rather than targeting crypto intermediaries. The memo also led to the disbanding of the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team.
The appointment has sparked debate given Blanche's past crypto holdings. In December 2025, reports surfaced that Blanche had significant investments in Bitcoin, Solana, Cardano, and Ethereum while advocating for a less restrictive regulatory approach to digital assets. Although Blanche stated that these assets were gifted to family members, some legal experts raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
The change in leadership at the Justice Department could signal further policy shifts regarding cryptocurrency regulation and enforcement. It remains to be seen how Blanche's interim leadership will impact the ongoing evolution of digital asset regulation in the United States.
