David Sacks expands tech advisory role as US deepens AI-crypto policy focus
David Sacks ended his 130-day tenure as White House special advisor for AI and crypto on March 25, 2026, moving to co-chair the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). The transition signals a broader US technology policy agenda that could reshape global fintech regulatory frameworks.
Overview
President Trump appointed 13 technology leaders to PCAST, including Coinbase co-founder Fred Ehrsam, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The council, co-chaired by Sacks and Michael Kratsios, advises on AI, quantum computing, and biotechnology to maintain US technological dominance.
Established in January 2025, PCAST targets bureaucratic barriers and workforce challenges emerging from new technologies.
Core facts
President Trump appointed 13 technology leaders to PCAST, including Coinbase co-founder Fred Ehrsam, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The council, co-chaired by Sacks and Michael Kratsios, advises on AI, quantum computing, and biotechnology to maintain US technological dominance.
Established in January 2025, PCAST targets bureaucratic barriers and workforce challenges emerging from new technologies.
Expert perspective
“I think moving forward as co-chair of PCAST I can now make recommendations on not just AI but an expanded range of technology topics. So, yes, this is how I’ll be involved moving forward.”
— David Sacks, Co-Chair at President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
Analysis: This statement reveals the White House’s intent to centralize technology policy across multiple sectors rather than siloing AI and crypto. For fintech ecosystems globally, this integrated approach could accelerate regulatory harmonization.
Why this matters
Sacks brings critical fintech credentials as PayPal’s former COO to shape US policy at a pivotal moment. His previous role advanced crypto-friendly frameworks; PCAST now provides a platform to influence broader technology standards that directly affect MENA markets.
The regional implications are significant. Sacks previously defended GPU exports to the UAE, calling restrictions “bogus”—a stance that supports Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s AI hub ambitions amid strengthening US-UAE technology partnerships. For fintech centers in Riyadh and Dubai, aligned AI and crypto regulations with US frameworks could unlock cross-border innovation and capital flows.
MENA fintech firms increasingly leverage US technology infrastructure for payments innovation. PCAST’s recommendations on AI ethics, crypto market structure, and quantum security could establish global standards that regional players must navigate. Vision 2030 and D33 initiatives prioritize fintech and AI, making regulatory alignment with major economies strategically critical.
What to watch next: PCAST’s initial policy recommendations on AI governance and digital asset frameworks, expected within 90 days of the council’s full activation, will signal whether US policy tilts toward innovation-friendly or restrictive approaches.
Conclusion
Sacks’ expanded role reflects Washington’s commitment to technology leadership precisely when MENA jurisdictions are accelerating fintech and AI adoption. The policy outputs from PCAST could determine whether regional markets face regulatory headwinds or tailwinds in the AI-driven fintech era.
Sources: PYMNTS, White House, X (David Sacks), The National News
