Trump Names Bill Pulte Acting DNI; Crypto Backers Praise

On Tuesday, June 2, 2026, President Donald Trump named Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte acting director of national intelligence. Pulte, 38, will continue to lead the FHFA and chair oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac while serving as acting DNI until a permanent director is nominated and confirmed. The administration announced he will hold both positions immediately; the acting DNI post does not require Senate confirmation.

Pulte drew attention from cryptocurrency backers because of two FHFA directives he issued. In June 2025 he ordered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to count cryptocurrency holdings in mortgage underwriting, removing a prior expectation that borrowers sell assets before applying for a loan. In March 2026 he expanded the policy to allow crypto reserves to back mortgages, limited to assets held on U.S.-regulated exchanges and subject to specified custody rules.

The FHFA rules require particular custody arrangements and regulated platforms for crypto assets to qualify as mortgage backing. Federal financial disclosures list Pulte’s personal holdings in Bitcoin and Solana and shares in MARA Holdings; disclosures also show spousal crypto exposure up to $2 million.

The appointment prompted public reactions from supporters and critics. Investor David Bailey wrote on social media, “A Bitcoiner was just picked for DNI role.” Vice President JD Vance posted that Pulte “recognizes that the bureaucracy of the intel community must respond to the elected leadership (rather than the other way around). He’ll do great.”

Opponents noted Pulte’s lack of intelligence or national security experience. Senator Mark Warner criticized the selection, warning it “appears to have been selected precisely because the White House believes he will provide the narrative it wants, not the intelligence we need.” Legal experts observed that the acting appointment bypasses the Senate confirmation process while federal statute typically favors nominees with intelligence credentials.

As acting director, Pulte will oversee the U.S. intelligence community and coordinate intelligence activities across the federal government. The White House has not set a timetable to nominate a permanent director. His appointment comes as Congress debates regulatory oversight of crypto markets.