David Sacks Steps Down as White House Crypto Czar, Takes Helm of Presidential Tech Council

Sacks Wraps Up 130-Day Stint as Special Adviser

Entrepreneur David Sacks has officially stepped down from his role as President Donald Trump's special adviser on artificial intelligence and digital assets after 130 days in the position, according to Bloomberg. Rather than departing the administration entirely, Sacks has transitioned into the role of co-chair of the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST).

Sacks framed the move as an expansion of his advisory scope: «By continuing as co-chair of PCAST, I will be able to provide recommendations not only on AI but on a broader range of technology topics,» he stated.

Why This Matters

Sacks was the first-ever White House «crypto czar,» appointed in December 2024 in a move widely seen as a milestone for the digital assets industry. His departure from the dedicated crypto advisory role raises questions about how digital asset policy will be championed within the Trump administration going forward. However, according to Fox Business sources, Sacks will retain his «crypto and AI czar» title with expanded authority — suggesting continuity rather than retreat.

PCAST Lineup: Tech Titans and One Crypto Voice

The Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology was established by executive order in January 2025, and Trump approved its inaugural membership shortly before Sacks' transition. Senior adviser Michael Kratsios serves as the other co-chair alongside Sacks.

The 13-member council features some of the most prominent figures in technology:

• Jensen Huang — Nvidia
• Mark Zuckerberg — Meta
• Lisa Su — AMD
• Larry Ellison — Oracle
• Marc Andreessen — Andreessen Horowitz
• Michael Dell — Dell Technologies

The sole representative from the crypto sector is Fred Ehrsam, co-founder of exchange Coinbase and venture firm Paradigm. His presence as the only crypto-native member highlights both the industry's growing legitimacy and its still-limited seat at the table of broader tech policy.

AI Regulation Fragmentation in Focus

Sacks identified one of PCAST's primary objectives as unifying the United States' approach to AI regulation at federal and state levels. He noted that all 50 states currently regulate the space differently, creating a «patchwork regime» that makes compliance difficult for innovators. The president has called for uniform rules to address this fragmentation.

Legacy of the Crypto Czar Era

Before taking office, Sacks disclosed that he had owned cryptocurrencies but sold all holdings prior to joining the administration. During his 130 days as special adviser, he delivered several concrete outcomes:

• Assisted the President's Working Group on Digital Asset Markets in producing a regulatory recommendations report released in July.
• Played a key role in the passage of the GENIUS Act, a stablecoin-focused piece of legislation.
• Continues to advocate for the CLARITY Act, considered a critical bill for the broader crypto market.

The move comes amid a broader pattern of crypto-friendly appointments by the Trump administration. In late January 2026, Trump nominated Kevin Warsh — widely described as crypto-friendly — to lead the Federal Reserve. Together, these personnel decisions signal a sustained commitment to integrating digital assets into the US financial framework.