US President Donald Trump has appointed the first 13 members to the re-established President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), drawing heavily from the cryptocurrency, blockchain, and artificial intelligence sectors. The council, revived by an executive order in January 2025, is tasked with advising the President on matters involving science, technology, education, and innovation policy.
The notable appointments include Coinbase co-founder Fred Ehrsam, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Oracle chief technology officer Larry Ellison, and investor Marc Andreessen. The council will be co-chaired by White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks and Trump’s science advisor Michael Kratsios. According to the White House, the council could eventually include up to 24 members, with more appointments expected in the near future.
The inclusion of key crypto industry figures, particularly Fred Ehrsam, is seen as a significant signal of the administration's intent to integrate blockchain innovation into national policy discussions. Other members with ties to the sector include David Sacks, a public advocate for Bitcoin and DeFi, and Marc Andreessen, whose venture firm Andreessen Horowitz is a major Web3 investor.
The formation of this council comes amid stalled legislative progress on comprehensive crypto regulation. The CLARITY Act, a digital asset market structure bill, passed the House of Representatives in July 2025 but has faced setbacks in the Senate. A crucial markup in the Senate Banking Committee was postponed after Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong expressed opposition to the bill's current form.
According to the White House, the council will focus on the impact of emerging technologies—including AI, automation, and blockchain-based financial systems—on the workforce, productivity, and long-term U.S. competitiveness. The move aligns with a broader push by the Trump administration to solidify U.S. leadership in fast-evolving technological fields.
