You probably remember the images of Paul Manafort from a few years back. The expensive ostrich-skin jackets. The grim walk into federal court. The wheelchair. It felt like the end of a very long, very complicated story of 1980s-style power brokering. Fast forward to today, and if you’re asking where is Paul Manafort in 2025, the answer is actually kind of wild. He’s not in a cell. He’s not even really "retired" in the way most 75-year-olds are.
Honestly, he’s back in the room. Or at least, the room adjacent to the room.
As we move through the early days of 2026, the dust has settled on the 2024 election, and Manafort has pulled off what many thought was impossible: a full-scale political rehabilitation. He isn't just a guy with a pardon living quietly in Florida. He has become a central, if somewhat quiet, architect in the intersection of high-stakes MAGA politics and the burgeoning world of cryptocurrency.
The Crypto Pivot: Manafort’s New Playground
If you saw the headlines about the "Crypto Ball" during the 2025 inauguration festivities, you might have spotted a familiar face. Manafort was there, not as a ghost of scandals past, but as a VIP.
How did he get there? Basically, he found a new niche.
Throughout late 2024 and into 2025, Manafort teamed up with David Bailey, the CEO of BTC Inc. and a major player in the Bitcoin world. While the public was focused on campaign rallies and debates, Manafort was reportedly doing what he does best: whispering in the right ears. He helped bridge the gap between "Old Guard" political donors and the new "Crypto Wealth" class.
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It worked.
The shift in the Trump administration's stance on digital assets—moving from calling Bitcoin a "scam" in years past to proposing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve in 2025—has Manafort’s fingerprints all over it. He’s been advising crypto interests on how to navigate the inner circle of the executive branch. It’s the classic Manafort playbook: find a massive pool of money, find a political movement that needs it, and make yourself the indispensable bridge between them.
Where is He Living?
Manafort spends the bulk of his time between Northern Virginia and Florida. He's a fixture in the Palm Beach scene, which isn't surprising given its status as the de facto headquarters for the current administration's elite.
But it’s not all sunshine and cocktail hours.
There’s still a bit of a cloud. Even with the 2020 pardon clearing his federal criminal record, the legal "afterlife" of a man like Manafort is never truly clean. He recently had to settle a civil case with the Justice Department for about $3.15 million. That was over those infamous undeclared foreign bank accounts in places like Cyprus and St. Vincent.
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He paid it. He moved on. For a guy who was once looking at decades in prison, a few million dollars and some civil paperwork probably feels like a light breeze.
The International Shadow: Albania and Beyond
While most people focus on his U.S. activities, Manafort hasn’t totally abandoned the international consulting that got him into trouble in the first place. Reports surfaced in late 2025 that he’s been working with consultants like Tony Fabrizio and Chris LaCivita on projects in the Balkans.
Specifically, he’s been linked to the electoral campaign of Sali Berisha in Albania.
It’s almost vintage Manafort. He’s back in the world of foreign elections, navigating the complex politics of Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. Critics say it’s a security risk; supporters say he’s just a private citizen using his expertise. Whatever your take, it proves that the "Manafort Brand"—which is basically I know how to win power in difficult places—is still very much in demand.
A Quick Reality Check on His Legal Status
- Federal Crimes: Fully pardoned in December 2020. He cannot be re-prosecuted for those specific Mueller-era convictions.
- State Charges: New York tried to nail him on mortgage fraud, but those charges were tossed out due to double jeopardy.
- Civil Obligations: Settled his FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Reporting) penalties in 2025 for $3.15 million.
- Travel: He has his passport back. He’s mobile.
Why Does This Still Matter?
You might wonder why we’re still talking about him. The reality is that Manafort represents a specific type of political survival. He’s the "bad penny" of the GOP—every time you think he’s gone, he flips over and shows up in the middle of a new policy shift.
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His 2025 status is a bellwether for how the current administration views "loyalty." To the MAGA faithful, Manafort is a martyr who "stood tall" against the Mueller investigation. To his detractors, he’s the ultimate symbol of a broken system where a pardon can erase a mountain of financial crimes.
Watching him at 2025 events, looking tan and fit, it’s hard to believe he was once being wheeled into a courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia, claiming he was too ill to stand.
Actionable Insights for the Politically Curious
If you’re following the 2026 midterms or the current administration's policy shifts, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Crypto Legislation: When you see new executive orders or bills regarding Bitcoin reserves, realize that these aren't just organic policy shifts. They are the result of intense lobbying by people who know the system's levers.
- Follow the Consultants: Manafort’s return signals that the "old guard" of the 2016 campaign is back in favor. This impacts who gets access and which industries (like energy and digital finance) get the most favorable treatment.
- Check the Civil Dockets: Manafort might be pardoned, but civil lawsuits are the new way to track his "shadow" activities. The $3.15 million settlement in 2025 is a prime example of how the government still keeps a peripheral eye on him.
Manafort’s story isn't over. In fact, it's entered a chapter that looks remarkably like his heyday in the '80s and '90s. He’s wealthy, he’s connected, and he’s once again at the center of the action. Whether that's a comeback story or a cautionary tale depends entirely on your own politics.
Keep an eye on the Bitcoin policy announcements coming out of the Treasury—that's where you'll find the most tangible evidence of his current influence.