Trump Taps Zuckerberg, Huang, & Coinbase Founder for Council

• President Donald Trump has named 13 initial members to the Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.
• The council features high-profile figures from the crypto and tech sectors, including Coinbase co-founder Fred Ehrsam and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.
• Co-chaired by David Sacks and Michael Kratsios, the group will provide guidance on innovation, AI, and digital asset policy.

A New Strategic Advisory Body

In January 2025, President Trump signed an executive order re-establishing the Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. On Wednesday, the White House announced the first wave of appointments to this body, which is tasked with advising the president on science, technology, education, and innovation policy. While 13 members have been named so far, the council is designed to hold up to 24 participants, with more appointments expected in the near future.

The leadership of the council reflects a strong focus on emerging technologies. It is co-chaired by Michael Kratsios, the president’s science advisor, and David Sacks, who serves as the White House AI and crypto czar. The formation of this group follows a period of increased engagement between the administration and the tech elite, including a high-profile dinner in September 2025.

Prominent Tech and Crypto Leaders

The roster of appointees includes some of the most influential names in the global technology landscape. Notable members include Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Oracle Chief Technology Officer Larry Ellison, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Representing the blockchain industry is Fred Ehrsam, the co-founder of Coinbase and venture firm Paradigm.

Many of these leaders have maintained active communication with the administration. Jensen Huang has previously consulted with the president regarding export controls for Nvidia chips. Similarly, Mark Zuckerberg visited the president's private residence in November 2024 shortly after the election, signaling a shift in the relationship between Silicon Valley and the White House.

Legislative and Regulatory Context

The council's work begins as the United States navigates complex legislative hurdles regarding digital assets and AI. While the House of Representatives passed the CLARITY Act, a comprehensive digital asset market structure bill, in July 2025, progress has stalled in the Senate. Legislative momentum has been hindered by government shutdowns, scheduled recesses, and internal disagreements over stablecoin regulations.

Specifically, a critical markup in the Senate Banking Committee was postponed after Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong expressed that the company could not support the current draft of the market structure bill. Furthermore, President Trump has linked the passage of other legislation to the SAVE America Act, stating on March 8 that he would not sign various bills until the citizenship-based voting registration requirements are addressed. This political climate sets a challenging stage for the council as it seeks to shape the national AI framework and future crypto regulations.