‘The Room Looks Exactly The Same’

Despite some early actions, Sacks’ 130-day stint prompted scrutiny of the policy’s actual impact.

David Sacks’ departure from his role as the US government’s artificial intelligence (AI) and crypto czar has drawn scrutiny across the industry, as several market analysts point to the absence of tangible regulatory results during his tenure.

Sacks worked for 130 days under the Special Government Employees limit, the maximum length of time allowed in such a role, before exiting without the passing of a comprehensive crypto law. For example, proposals, including the Clarity Act, are pending in Congress, while no formal regulatory framework has been introduced for artificial intelligence companies.

At the same time, Bitcoin saw a strong correction, following the previous rally that coincided with the selection of sacks and the expectation of clear institutional paths.

AI Frameworks Pending, Clarity Rule Suspended

The reaction has been particularly evident across crypto-focused commentary channels, where the gap between initial expectations and policy delivery has been brought back into focus. Anonymous market analyst “Tuki” described the 130-day window as a period that sees limited visible progress in both crypto and AI policies. They noted that the expected regulatory clarification did not materialize.

The backlash was due to the fact that Sacks’ role carried high expectations given his background as a prominent figure in the White House since Donald Trump began his second term. A longtime Silicon Valley entrepreneur and investor, he is a partner at Craft Ventures, a company he co-founded in 2017. As such, the transition from a senior White House position to the role of the President’s Council of Advisers on Science and Technology (PCAST) was also cited in these discussions as moving from direct policy influence to advisory status.

Sacks confirmed that he will continue to contribute to technology policy through PCAST, the organization’s advisory body tasked with providing evidence-based recommendations on science, innovation, and emerging technologies. In public comments, he said the new position will allow him to be involved in a wide set of technical issues outside of crypto and artificial intelligence, while continuing to support the AI ​​framework recently introduced by the administration. While criticizing the change, Tuki wrote on Twitter,

“the adults were in the room.. for 130 days.. and the room looks exactly the same as when they walked in.. The most connected man in Silicon Valley got the most powerful technology policy role in the country.. and the biggest thing he sent was a headline.”

Goes During Administration

Although his short tenure is still controversial, Sacks oversaw several early digital asset initiatives. This included an executive order banning the development of digital currency by the central bank and the creation of a White House task force to coordinate crypto policy.

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The administration then introduced the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a number of national digital assets. Legislative progress includes the passage of the GENIUS Act in July 2025, which established the first framework for a stable coin organization with bipartisan support.

Regulatory agencies also changed their approach. During his tenure, several SEC investigations were dropped, and leadership changes reflected a more pro-industry stance. One of the most talked about actions was the defunding of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which Sacks described as his “personal favorite.”