From bitcoin mining to the Hill: AIP’s new fellow brings hands-on crypto experience to D.C.

Jacob Smagula previously worked on the government affairs team at bitcoin mining company MARA and is currently on the policy team at the DeFi Education Fund.

What to know:

• The American Innovation Project has added two fellows, Jacob Smagula and Hugo Swangstu.
• Smagula previously worked on the government affairs team at MARA, a publicly traded bitcoin mining company, and is currently on the policy team at the DeFi Education Fund.
• Founded in 2025 and backed by major crypto industry players, AIP aims to ensure lawmakers are better informed on fast-evolving technologies such as AI and digital assets.

The American Innovation Project (AIP), a non-profit advocacy group, has added a crypto policy specialist to its ranks as it expands its work on digital asset legislation.

Jacob Smagula, a 2026 graduate of Claremont McKenna College, will join Democratic Representative Ritchie Torres’ (D-NY) team, AIP said. Smagula brings a background in crypto policy and industry affairs, having worked on the government relations team at publicly traded bitcoin miner MARA and currently serving on the policy team at the DeFi Education Fund.

He has also held roles on Capitol Hill, including internships with Representative Jake Auchincloss and Senator Angus King.

Smagula’s appointment comes as part of AIP’s Policy Innovation Fellowship, a two-part program designed to give congressional staff hands-on exposure to emerging technologies and direct experience in Congress.

AIP also named Hugo Swangstu, a 2025 graduate of the University of Washington, as a fellow. Swangstu previously interned for Representative Adam Smith and Representative Torres and will serve in the Washington office of Representative Shomari Figures (D-AL).

“The next generation of policymakers must understand the technologies reshaping our economy, national security, and daily lives,” Torres said.

Figures added that “as technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, it's essential that Members of Congress are informed and prepared to craft sound tech policy."

Allie Page, AIP’s executive director, said the organization is focused on bringing in talent with expertise in emerging technologies as lawmakers make decisions that will shape the U.S. role in AI, crypto and other sectors.

AIP was founded in August 2025 as a digital assets advocacy organization backed by crypto venture capital firm Digital Currency Group and the Cedar Innovation Foundation, a group whose funders are anonymous. Other supporters include Coinbase, Kraken, Andreessen Horowitz, the National Cryptocurrency Association, Paradigm, the Solana Policy Institute, Stand With Crypto and Uniswap Labs, according to the organization.

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