David Sacks is stepping down as the White House's AI and Crypto Czar, moving to a broader tech advisory position as co-chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). The shift, effective this week, ends his direct oversight of digital asset policy within the administration.
The new role
PCAST is a federal advisory body that provides the president with expert guidance on science, technology, and innovation. Sacks will co-chair the council alongside other appointees, focusing on cross-cutting tech issues rather than the narrower crypto and AI portfolios he previously managed. The move signals a return to a more generalist tech policy role for the former venture capitalist.
Sacks' departure leaves the crypto czar position vacant. He was appointed in late 2025 to coordinate digital asset regulation across agencies, a role that drew both praise and criticism from industry players. The White House has not yet named a successor. It's unclear whether the position will be filled or folded into another office.
The timing isn't great for an administration that has made crypto regulation a priority. Several bills on stablecoins and market structure are still pending in Congress, and agencies like the SEC and CFTC continue to spar over jurisdiction. Without a dedicated crypto czar, coordination could slow down.
Sacks will begin his PCAST duties immediately. The White House is expected to announce a replacement for the crypto czar role in the coming weeks, though no timeline has been given. For now, the crypto policy portfolio will likely be handled on an interim basis by senior staff at the National Economic Council.
