Coinbase Co‑founder Fred Ehrsam Joins Trump‑Led Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
Washington, DC – March 25, 2026 – President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that a new slate of 13 tech and crypto executives will serve on the revitalised President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). Among the appointees is Coinbase co‑founder Fred Ehrsam, alongside industry heavy‑weights such as Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg, Nvidia chairman Jensen Huang, and Oracle chief technology officer Larry Ellison.
The appointments were detailed in a White House release that highlighted the council’s mandate to counsel the president on matters pertaining to science, technology, education and innovation policy. The body, which can eventually comprise up to 24 members, will be co‑chaired by former Trump adviser and current “AI and crypto czar” David Sacks and former chief technology officer of the White House, Michael Kratsios.
Who is on the new council?
| Member | Primary affiliation | Notable background |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Zuckerberg | Meta Platforms, Inc. | Met with the president on AI initiatives; visited Mar‑a‑Lago after the 2024 election |
| Fred Ehrsam | Coinbase (co‑founder) | Long‑standing advocate for crypto‑friendly regulation |
| Jensen Huang | Nvidia Corp. | Discussed chip export controls with Trump in 2023 |
| Larry Ellison | Oracle (CTO) | Veteran technology executive with prior ties to the administration |
| Other appointees | Various leading firms in AI, blockchain, and emerging tech | Names not disclosed in the announcement |
The council’s composition reflects a blend of established Silicon Valley leadership and emerging crypto voices, suggesting a strategic push to integrate digital‑asset perspectives into federal policy.
Political backdrop
The re‑establishment of PCAST follows an executive order signed in January 2025 that called for a modernised advisory body to address rapid advances in technology. The timing coincides with the White House’s recent rollout of a national artificial‑intelligence framework, which urges Congress to enact federal legislation pre‑empting a patchwork of state AI laws.
President Trump has also been foregrounding other legislative priorities, most notably the SAVE America Act—intended to tighten voter‑registration requirements. In a March 8 post on his social platform, the former president signaled that he would withhold signing additional bills until the act passes.
Crypto‑specific developments
The appointment of Ehrsam arrives as the broader regulatory environment for digital assets remains unsettled. The CLARITY Act, a comprehensive market‑structure bill that cleared the House in July 2025, has stalled in the Senate. Recent setbacks include a postponed markup by the Senate Banking Committee after Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong publicly withdrew support for the bill in its current form. The Senate Agriculture Committee moved its version forward in January, but a clear timetable for Senate action has yet to emerge.
Analysis
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Signal to the industry – Including a Coinbase co‑founder on a presidential advisory panel signals an intent to bring cryptocurrency considerations to the highest level of policy‑making. It may encourage other firms to engage more proactively with federal initiatives.
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Potential influence on legislation – While the council’s recommendations are non‑binding, its members’ expertise and political connections could shape the trajectory of pending bills such as the CLARITY Act. Their input may address concerns raised by industry players about stablecoin yields and securities compliance.
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Strategic alignment with broader tech agenda – The council’s blend of AI, blockchain, and traditional tech leaders mirrors the administration’s push for a unified approach to emerging technologies. This could result in coordinated policy proposals that link AI governance with digital‑asset regulation.
- Political calculus – Many of the appointees have previously expressed support for the Trump administration, suggesting that the selection was partly driven by alignment of policy outlooks rather than purely technical expertise.
Key Takeaways
- Fred Ehrsam’s appointment places a prominent crypto voice at the center of federal tech policy discussions.
- The council, co‑chaired by David Sacks and Michael Kratsios, will advise the president on a wide array of scientific and technological issues, including AI and blockchain.
- Legislative efforts affecting the crypto sector, notably the CLARITY Act, remain in limbo; the council’s influence could be pivotal in shaping future reforms.
- The broader political context includes the administration’s AI framework push and the SAVE America Act, highlighting a concerted focus on both technology and election‑law reform.
- The selection of members with demonstrated support for the Trump administration underscores a political dimension to the advisory group’s composition.
As the council convenes for its first meetings, industry observers will watch closely for any policy recommendations that could reshape the regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies, artificial intelligence, and other frontier technologies.
Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/crypto-ai-leaders-trump-advisory-council?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound
