Trump's strategist and crypto czar David Sacks steps down from the White House, with a 130-day term coming to an end and multiple pieces of legislation remaining unresolved.

David Sacks, the key operator of the Trump administration’s cryptocurrency policy, officially stepped down as the White House’s head of artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency affairs on March 27, due to reaching the 130-day limit for special government employees; significant policies such as stablecoin legislation and strategic Bitcoin reserves are still in progress, and there is currently no information on his successor.
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• Achievements in office: Bitcoin reserves, stablecoin legislation, major regulatory shift
• Unfinished agenda: The Clarity Act and strategic reserves still in progress
• Transition to PCAST, what impact on the market?

The most influential promoter of cryptocurrency policy during the Trump administration has officially exited the White House. David Sacks stepped down as the White House’s head of artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency affairs on March 27, concluding a 130-day term as a special government employee (SGE)—which is the maximum allowed by regulation. According to CNBC, Sacks confirmed in an interview with Bloomberg before stepping down that the expiration of his term was the main reason for his departure, not policy disagreements.

Achievements in office: Bitcoin reserves, stablecoin legislation, major regulatory shift

During the past four months, Sacks has been the practical executor of Trump’s cryptocurrency policies. He actively promoted market structure and stablecoin-related legislation, advocated for the establishment of a strategic Bitcoin reserve for the U.S., and argued for clear regulatory rules to replace the previous Biden administration’s habit of “enforcement first” approaches.

He publicly criticized the Biden administration for relying too heavily on enforcement measures regarding cryptocurrency regulation and lacking a clear regulatory framework, characterizing this as a fundamental barrier to the development of the U.S. digital asset industry. Under his tenure, the White House’s attitude toward the cryptocurrency industry shifted from opposition to active collaboration, which is viewed by the industry as the biggest policy turning point in recent years.

Unfinished agenda: The Clarity Act and strategic reserves still in progress

However, at the time of Sacks’ departure, several core bills remained unresolved. Crypto journalist Eleanor Terrett revealed that the Clarity Act and strategic Bitcoin reserves are still in progress, and the White House has not disclosed whether a new head of cryptocurrency affairs will be appointed.

Sources indicate that the White House currently has no plans to fill this position. This means that the execution of U.S. cryptocurrency policy may lack a clear White House point of contact in the short term.

Transition to PCAST, what impact on the market?

Sacks has not faded away. He will continue to participate in government affairs as the co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), with the other co-chair being the White House’s senior technology advisor, Michael Kratsios. He stated that the new role allows him to “advise on not just AI, but broader technology issues.”

However, PCAST is an advisory committee and does not have executive powers. Compared to directly promoting legislation in the White House office, there are differing opinions in the industry regarding whether Sacks’ actual influence can be maintained; industry insiders point out that several legislative efforts may face risks of reduced momentum after his departure.

In the short term, Sacks’ resignation does not represent a reversal of the Trump administration’s pro-crypto stance—the policy direction is set, and the administrative framework remains in place. However, the lack of a clearly authorized White House point of contact may pose challenges in coordination costs for the progress of legislation such as the Clarity Act.

In the long term, if PCAST’s advisory role allows Sacks to continue influencing technology policy formulation, the actual impact of his departure from the White House may be limited; but if a successor is not appointed soon, the pace of progress on cryptocurrency legislation could slow as a result.