David Sacks admits why ‘I sold all my cryptocurrency prior to…’

• David Sacks sold all direct crypto holdings amid conflict-of-interest concerns.
• Trump announced a U.S. strategic crypto reserve, triggering a market surge.

David Sacks, recently appointed as Trump’s AI & Crypto Czar, has made a decisive move before assuming his official duties.

David Sacks confirms his crypto holdings sell-off

On the 3rd of March, he confirmed selling off all his direct crypto holdings, a step likely taken to avoid potential conflicts of interest.

Needless to say, his appointment signaled a strategic shift in the administration’s approach to digital assets and artificial intelligence, but his decision to divest has raised questions.

Reposting a screenshot of a Financial Times report, Sacks noted, 

“Correct. I sold all my cryptocurrency (including BTC, ETH, and SOL) prior to the start of the administration.” 

As expected, Sacks’ decision to sell his direct crypto holdings has not silenced concerns over potential conflicts of interest.

What do critics have to say?

Critics have pointed to his ties with Bitwise, a firm offering exchange-traded funds (ETFs) investing in Bitcoin [BTC], Ethereum [ETH], Ripple [XRP], Solana [SOL], and Cardano [ADA].

As the founder of Craft Ventures, which holds stakes in several crypto startups—including Bitwise—questions about his financial entanglements persist.

In response to speculation on social media, Sacks denied having indirect crypto holdings through Bitwise.

Sacks said,

“This community note is a lie. I had a $74k position in the Bitwise ETF which I sold on January 22. I do not have ‘large indirect holdings,. I’ll provide an update at the end of the ethics process.”

Meanwhile, reports indicate he is undergoing an official ethics review, with further disclosures on his financial interests expected in due course.

Trump’s bold crypto vision

Sacks’ disclosure came at a pivotal moment, coinciding with Donald Trump’s announcement of a U.S. strategic crypto reserve—a landmark move that cements digital assets in national financial policy.

The reserve, set to include Bitcoin, Ether, and other cryptocurrencies, signals an unprecedented level of government backing for the sector.

Trump confirmed that Bitcoin and Ether will serve as the reserve’s foundation, reinforcing their status as the dominant players in the market.

This news triggered a market-wide surge, with Bitcoin spiking 8% to $93,007 and Ether climbing 9.7% to $2,438. XRP saw an even more dramatic rise, soaring 24.5% to $2.80, as investor confidence soared.

Additionally, the bullish momentum pushed the global crypto market cap to $3.02 trillion, marking a 6.27% gain in just 24 hours.

Therefore, as the implications of this policy shift unfold, the market is bracing for further volatility and regulatory clarity under Trump’s leadership.