The 2025 Trump administration has ushered in an unprecedented integration of Silicon Valley technocrats into federal governance, marked by the appointment of key figures from the PayPal Mafia network and their ideological allies. These individuals, spanning formal roles and informal advisory positions, share a cohesive vision centered on deregulation, technological dominance, and the restructuring of federal institutions to align with libertarian-leaning tech industry priorities. Their collective agenda prioritizes artificial intelligence (AI) innovation, cryptocurrency proliferation, and the erosion of regulatory frameworks perceived as barriers to private-sector growth. This report examines the key appointees, their interconnected networks, and the shared objectives driving their policy influence.

Formal Appointments: Technocrats in Key Government Roles
Michael J.K. Kratsios: Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

A protégé of Peter Thiel, Kratsios returned to the White House after roles at Thiel's investment firms and Scale AI. His appointment reflects the administration's focus on consolidating AI policy under industry-aligned leadership. Kratsios has prioritized streamlining federal AI regulations to accelerate private-sector innovation, notably through Executive Order 14110's revocation, which dismantled Biden-era AI ethics safeguards.

David Sacks: White House AI & Crypto Czar

As a PayPal Mafia stalwart and co-host of the All-In podcast, Sacks embodies the fusion of tech entrepreneurship and political advocacy. His role involves overseeing cryptocurrency regulatory frameworks and AI development, with an emphasis on minimizing SEC oversight of digital assets. Sacks' influence extends to chairing the Presidential Council of Advisers for Digital Assets, which advocates for policies favoring stablecoin adoption and blockchain integration in federal systems.

Sriram Krishnan: Senior AI Policy Advisor

Krishnan, a venture capitalist at Andreessen Horowitz, bridges Silicon Valley's AI investment community and federal policy. His mandate includes promoting "unbiased" AI systems—a term aligned with conservative critiques of algorithmic fairness initiatives—and fostering public-private partnerships to bolster U.S. competitiveness against China.

Bo Hines: Executive Director of the Presidential Council of Advisers for Digital Assets

A former congressional candidate, Hines represents the younger generation of Thiel-affiliated operatives. His council focuses on legitimizing cryptocurrency markets, advocating for tax incentives for blockchain startups, and opposing central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) as threats to decentralized finance.