David Sacks is stepping down from his role as the White House’s crypto and AI czar.
On March 26, 2026, Sacks told Bloomberg he will transition to co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisers on Science & Technology (PCAST) alongside senior advisor Michael Kratsios. The move comes after his 130-day term as a special government employee ended. PCAST advises the president on science and technology issues, including AI and quantum computing.
President Trump announced the first PCAST members earlier this week, including notable figures such as Marc Andreessen, Fred Ehrsam (Coinbase co-founder), Larry Ellison (Oracle CTO), and Mark Zuckerberg (Meta CEO).
Sacks, appointed in December 2024 as the first-ever White House crypto and AI czar, said he sold all his crypto holdings before joining the administration. In his new role, he will have a broader mandate to advise on technology policy beyond just crypto and AI.
Crypto Legislation Faces Ongoing Challenges
Sacks’ departure occurs as Congress continues to work on comprehensive crypto regulation. The House-passed Clarity Act (Digital Asset Market Clarity Act) aims to split oversight between the SEC and CFTC, providing clearer rules for digital assets, exchanges, and stablecoins.
Progress in the Senate has been slower. The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced its version along party lines in January 2026, but the Senate Banking Committee has stalled amid disagreements, particularly over the treatment of stablecoin rewards and other provisions.
Industry voices are divided on the urgency. Some, like Coin Center Executive Director Peter Van Valkenburgh, warn that delaying legislation could mean missing a critical window for favorable rules under the current administration.
What This Means for Crypto Markets
Sacks’ transition removes a high-profile crypto advocate from day-to-day White House operations, but his continued involvement through PCAST suggests he will still influence broader tech policy. The crypto industry will now watch closely how the legislative process unfolds in Congress and whether the administration continues to push for pro-crypto executive actions.
As of March 26, 2026, Bitcoin trades around $68,976 (down ~2.7% in the past 24 hours), with the broader market reacting mildly to the news.
