David Sacks Steps Down as White House AI and Crypto Czar
Venture capitalist and former White House advisor David Sacks told a reporter today that he had “used up” his time as a special government employee, moving instead to a presidential advisory council.
David Sacks Is No Longer the White House AI and Crypto Czar
Venture capitalist David Sacks confirmed today that he has stepped down from his role as the White House's artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency czar, telling a reporter that he had "used up" his allotted time as a special government employee. Sacks, who was appointed by President Trump to oversee policy on two of the most consequential emerging technology sectors, will transition to a position on a presidential advisory council rather than leaving the administration's orbit entirely.
Sacks served in the role for a limited period, as special government employees are typically restricted to working no more than 130 days in a given year. During his tenure, he played a central role in shaping the administration's approach to digital asset regulation and artificial intelligence governance, hosting a widely watched White House crypto summit and helping to outline the president's vision for American leadership in AI development.
The move to an advisory council allows Sacks to maintain a connection to the policy conversations he helped initiate while returning his focus to his private sector ventures, which include his role as a general partner at the venture capital firm Craft Ventures. Advisory council members typically serve in an unpaid capacity and provide recommendations to the president without holding the day-to-day operational responsibilities of a government employee.
The departure raises questions about who will carry forward the administration's ambitious technology agenda and whether the dual focus on AI and cryptocurrency policy will continue under a single point of leadership. Sacks had been seen as a influential figure bridging Silicon Valley and Washington, and his exit from the formal government role marks a notable shift in the White House's technology policy structure at a time when both AI regulation and crypto legislation remain actively debated on Capitol Hill.