Key Takeaways
- • The American Innovation Project (AIP) appointed Jacob Smagula, a 2026 Claremont McKenna College graduate, as a Policy Innovation Fellow to join Democratic Representative Ritchie Torres' (D-NY) team, bringing direct crypto industry and government affairs experience to Capitol Hill.
- • Smagula's background includes prior roles on the government affairs team at publicly traded bitcoin miner MARA and current service on the policy team at the DeFi Education Fund, supplemented by prior Capitol Hill internships with Representatives Jake Auchincloss and Senator Angus King.
- • AIP simultaneously appointed Hugo Swangstu, a 2025 University of Washington graduate, as a fellow to serve in Representative Shomari Figures' (D-AL) Washington office, with prior internship experience under Representatives Adam Smith and Torres.
- • The Policy Innovation Fellowship represents AIP's structured two-part program designed to provide congressional staff direct exposure to emerging technologies while offering recent graduates hands-on legislative experience.
- • AIP's expansion signals institutional focus on ensuring next-generation policymakers possess technical competency in digital assets, AI, and emerging technologies as Congress formulates foundational regulatory frameworks for these sectors.
Summary
The American Innovation Project, a non-profit advocacy organization, has expanded its policy infrastructure by appointing two fellows through its Policy Innovation Fellowship program. Jacob Smagula will join the congressional team of Democratic Representative Ritchie Torres of New York, while Hugo Swangstu will serve in the Washington office of Democratic Representative Shomari Figures of Alabama.
Smagula brings substantive cryptocurrency industry experience to his fellowship role. The 2026 Claremont McKenna College graduate previously served on the government affairs team at Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA), a publicly traded bitcoin mining company, and currently holds a position on the policy team at the DeFi Education Fund. His prior Capitol Hill experience includes internships with Representative Jake Auchincloss and Senator Angus King. Swangstu, a 2025 University of Washington graduate, brings prior congressional exposure through internships with Representative Adam Smith and Representative Torres.
The Policy Innovation Fellowship operates as a two-part program designed to bridge the knowledge gap between emerging technologies and legislative policymaking. According to AIP's executive director Allie Page, the organization prioritizes recruiting talent with expertise in emerging technologies as lawmakers craft policy affecting artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and related sectors. Representative Torres emphasized that "the next generation of policymakers must understand the technologies reshaping our economy, national security, and daily lives," while Representative Figures noted 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."
The appointments reflect broader institutional recognition that cryptocurrency and digital asset policy requires specialized technical knowledge within congressional staffing structures. By placing fellows with direct industry exposure alongside lawmakers, AIP aims to enhance informed policymaking during a critical period of digital asset regulation development in the U.S. legislative environment.
Smagula brings substantive cryptocurrency industry experience to his fellowship role. The 2026 Claremont McKenna College graduate previously served on the government affairs team at Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA), a publicly traded bitcoin mining company, and currently holds a position on the policy team at the DeFi Education Fund. His prior Capitol Hill experience includes internships with Representative Jake Auchincloss and Senator Angus King. Swangstu, a 2025 University of Washington graduate, brings prior congressional exposure through internships with Representative Adam Smith and Representative Torres.
The Policy Innovation Fellowship operates as a two-part program designed to bridge the knowledge gap between emerging technologies and legislative policymaking. According to AIP's executive director Allie Page, the organization prioritizes recruiting talent with expertise in emerging technologies as lawmakers craft policy affecting artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and related sectors. Representative Torres emphasized that "the next generation of policymakers must understand the technologies reshaping our economy, national security, and daily lives," while Representative Figures noted 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."
The appointments reflect broader institutional recognition that cryptocurrency and digital asset policy requires specialized technical knowledge within congressional staffing structures. By placing fellows with direct industry exposure alongside lawmakers, AIP aims to enhance informed policymaking during a critical period of digital asset regulation development in the U.S. legislative environment.
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