The American Innovation Project (AIP) has expanded its policy team with two new fellows to strengthen its advocacy for digital asset legislation. Jacob Smagula, a 2026 graduate of Claremont McKenna College, will join Democratic Representative Ritchie Torres' (D-NY) team as part of AIP's Policy Innovation Fellowship program. According to reports from AIP, Smagula brings extensive crypto policy experience, having previously 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 congressional internships with Representative Jake Auchincloss and Senator Angus King.
AIP's Policy Innovation Fellowship represents a two-part program designed to give congressional staff hands-on exposure to emerging technologies and direct experience in Congress. As reported by AIP, the fellowship aims to provide lawmakers with practical understanding of technologies reshaping the economy, national security, and daily lives. The program has also named Hugo Swangstu, a 2025 graduate of the University of Washington, as a fellow, who will serve in the Washington office of Representative Shomari Figures (D-AL). Swangstu previously interned for Representative Adam Smith and Representative Torres.
AIP was founded in August 2025 as a digital assets advocacy organization backed by major crypto industry players. According to the organization, AIP is supported by Digital Currency Group and the Cedar Innovation Foundation, with other notable supporters including Coinbase, Kraken, Andreessen Horowitz, the National Cryptocurrency Association, Paradigm, the Solana Policy Institute, Stand With Crypto, and Uniswap Labs. The organization aims to ensure lawmakers are better informed on fast-evolving technologies such as AI and digital assets as they make decisions that will shape the U.S. role in these sectors.
