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White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks was appointed as co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), expanding his role within the Trump administration.

President Donald Trump established PCAST through an executive order on Wednesday, aimed at bringing together leading figures in science and technology to advise the president and strengthen U.S. leadership in those fields.

The new role positions Sacks to oversee a broader range of technology issues and deepen the White House’s engagement with major tech companies.

“We’ve accomplished a lot in the first year, but the President wants to keep the pedal to the metal on everything tech. That’s exactly what we will do,” Sacks told FOX Business.

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The council will include up to 24 members, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison.

A senior adviser to the president told FOX Business that Sacks will continue serving as AI and crypto czar while taking on a broader portfolio.

“David will always be his crypto and AI czar, but to the admin more broadly, this new role will allow him to advise on a broader range of critical tech issues,” the adviser said.

As AI and crypto czar, Sacks has helped drive a series of policy shifts aimed at reshaping U.S. artificial intelligence strategy, including rolling back prior restrictions and expanding federal oversight.

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In his first week in office, Trump signed an executive order revoking a Biden-era policy that took a more cautious approach to emerging technologies like AI and blockchain.

Trump later signed another executive order in December 2025 establishing a national framework for AI regulation, preempting state-level rules. The order argued that U.S. companies must be able to innovate “without cumbersome regulation.”

In July 2025, the White House released its “Winning the AI Race” action plan, outlining more than 90 federal policy initiatives focused on accelerating innovation, building infrastructure and strengthening the nation’s position in global AI development and security.

More recently, the White House unveiled a national AI policy framework aimed at creating a “consistent” standard for development nationwide while addressing concerns around censorship, free speech and child protection.

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Sacks has also played a key role in shaping the administration’s cryptocurrency agenda.

Within days of taking office, Trump signed an executive order promoting U.S. leadership in digital assets, banning the development of a central bank digital currency and creating a presidential working group on the issue.

In March 2025, Trump signed an order establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile, positioning the country as a leader in government-backed digital asset strategy.

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Congress followed with the passage of the GENIUS Act in July 2025, the first major federal legislation on digital assets, creating a regulatory framework for payment stablecoins. The bill passed with bipartisan support in both chambers.

The administration has also moved to ease regulatory pressure on the crypto industry, including ending several SEC investigations and installing crypto-friendly leadership at key agencies.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was defunded — a move Sacks called his “personal favorite” — eliminating what he described as the crypto industry’s most aggressive enforcement arm.

The Nasdaq tumbled more than 2% to confirm a correction on Thursday while the S&P 500 and the Dow fell more than 1%. Investors scrambled for safety on fears of escalation in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, which has sent oil prices soaring and exacerbated inflation concerns.

Thursday marked the biggest one-day decline for the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 since January 20.

President Donald Trump said Iran must make a deal with the U.S. or face a continued onslaught, while warning that taking control of Iran’s oil was an option. A senior Iranian official told Reuters the U.S. proposal for ending nearly four ‌weeks of fighting is “one-sided and ⁠unfair,” while ⁠stressing that diplomacy had not ended. Stock futures pared losses slightly after the market closed when Trump said he was pausing attacks on Iran’s energy plants for 10 days until April 6 at the Iranian government’s request. He said talks with Tehran were going “very well.”

Earlier, the lack of any clear signs of progress sent oil prices soaring, with U.S. crude futures settling up 4.6% compared with a 5.7% advance for Brent futures.

As a result, stock indexes erased gains from Wednesday when investors had been betting on a de-escalation in the war, which has disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

‘FOG OF WAR’

“The back and forth seems to be happening at a quicker pace. On top of it, we don’t know who Trump is negotiating with,” said Doug Beath, global equity strategist at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, adding that uncertainty about the war was causing investors to sell equities. “There’s a lot of conflicting signals, and it’s really the fog of war, the ⁠uncertainty of ‌all of it that’s driving this.”
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 469.38 points, or 1.01%, to 45,960.11, the S&P 500 lost 114.74 points, or 1.74%, to 6,477.16 and the Nasdaq Composite shed 521.74 points, or 2.38%, to 21,408.08. The technology-heavy Nasdaq closed down 10.7% from its October 29 closing record high, confirming it has been in a ⁠correction since that date. A correction is a decline of 10% or more from a recent market high.
Noting that stock markets have generally been weaker on Fridays since the Iran war began a month ago, Peter Tuz, president of Chase Investment Counsel, said the S&P 500 could follow the Nasdaq in confirming a correction.

“After three good years for markets, a selloff of 10%-20% should not surprise anyone. We had one last year during the tariff proposals. Bad technical indicators might, however, encourage selling and discourage buying until the situation clears up,” Tuz said.

Most of the S&P 500’s 11 major industry sectors lost ground. Energy was the biggest gainer, adding 1.6%. The only other sector to show a percentage gain was defensive utilities , which added 0.2%.

The biggest sector laggards were communications services , down 3.5%, and technology, which lost 2.7%.

META, ALPHABET DROP AFTER VERDICTS The communications index was under pressure after jurors found Meta and Alphabet’s Google liable in the first two trials from a growing wave of lawsuits accusing social media firms of harming children. ‌Meta shares finished close to 8% lower while Alphabet lost more than 3%.

In technology, chip stocks were a big drag with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index tumbling 4.8% after three sessions of gains. Leading declines in the Dow were shares of artificial intelligence chip leader Nvidia, which finished down more than 4%. Earlier on Thursday, the OECD warned the Middle East conflict has knocked the global economy off ⁠a stronger growth path, with the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz threatening to push inflation sharply higher.

With high oil prices fanning inflation fears, central banks are in a tough spot regarding interest rates, with traders no longer pricing in any easing from the U.S. Federal Reserve this year. Two rate cuts had been expected before the Iran conflict erupted, according to the CME Group’s FedWatch Tool. Earlier, data showed new applications for U.S. unemployment benefits rose slightly last week, suggesting a stable labor market and giving the Fed scope to hold rates steady while monitoring the impact of the Iran war. U.S.-listed shares of gold miners, including Sibanye Stillwater and Harmony Gold, fell more than 4% as bullion prices lost more than 2%.

Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 3.16-to-1 ratio on the NYSE, where there were 121 new highs and 202 new lows. On the Nasdaq, 1,385 stocks rose and 3,423 fell as declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 2.47-to-1 ratio. The S&P 500 posted 20 new 52-week highs and eight new lows.

Volume was light, with 16.50 billion shares changing hands on U.S. exchanges compared with the 20.54 billion average for the last 20 sessions.

The Oil Fuel Fund Management Committee has raised fuel prices by 6 baht per liter due to rising global oil prices and significant diesel costs, while planning support for vulnerable groups.

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Key Points

• The Oil Fuel Fund Management Committee approved a 6 baht-per-liter increase in diesel and gasoline subsidies, effective March 26, amid rising global oil prices driven by Middle East tensions.
• Diesel prices in Singapore have surged, pressuring domestic pricing. The Fund has faced over 2.5 billion baht in daily subsidy costs, prompting officials to align domestic prices with neighboring countries to deter smuggling and stockpiling.
• The government is preparing support measures for vulnerable groups and businesses while urging efficient energy use as the country faces ongoing volatility in global energy markets.

The Oil Fuel Fund Management Committee has approved a reduction in subsidies for diesel and gasoline, resulting in a 6 baht-per-liter increase across all fuel types as global oil prices continue to rise. The price adjustment, effective today (Mar 26), comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, which have driven sharp increases in international fuel prices.

Diesel prices in the Singapore market have surged significantly, adding pressure to domestic pricing. The Oil Fuel Fund has been absorbing subsidy costs of more than 2.5 billion baht per day, placing a strain on its financial position and prompting authorities to act to preserve liquidity for long-term price management.

Officials said the adjustment also aligns domestic fuel prices more closely with those of neighboring countries, where fuel costs have already risen. Maintaining lower prices had raised concerns over cross-border smuggling and stockpiling, which could further strain national resources.

The government is now preparing support measures to ease the impact on vulnerable groups, transport operators, farmers, and businesses. Authorities are also urging the public to use energy efficiently as the country navigates ongoing volatility in global energy markets.

Source : Thailand’s Oil Fund Cuts Subsidies , Raises Fuel Prices by 6 Baht

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More than 800 pest control companies handle large volumes of enquiries every day across the country, as homeowners and businesses seek immediate relief from infestations.

This represents a massive opportunity, yet many providers find themselves working harder for less money because their initial quotes fail to account for the true cost of service. A quote is more than a price tag; it is a financial barrier that protects your business from the rising costs of fuel, chemicals, and specialised labour.

The Math Behind a Profitable Pest Control Quote

Building a margin-safe quote requires a shift away from “guesstimating” and toward a rigid, data-driven framework. Most successful firms in 2026 are targeting a gross margin of at least 75% for premium residential services to ensure they remain viable. When you underprice a job by even 10%, you aren’t just losing a few pounds, you are actively eroding the capital needed to maintain your fleet and train your technicians.

The first step in safeguarding your profit is establishing a “floor” price that covers your fixed overheads before a technician even steps out of the van. You must account for the 20% of revenue that typically goes toward vehicle maintenance and insurance. If your quote does not lead with these non-negotiable costs, you are essentially subsidising the customer’s pest problem out of your own pocket.

Standardising Your Service Scope to Prevent Creep

Scope creep is the silent killer of profitability in the pest industry. It happens when a “simple” rodent treatment turns into a full-scale exclusion project because the initial quote was too vague. To prevent this, your proposals must define exactly what is included and, more importantly, what is explicitly excluded from the price.

Using a standardised template ensures that every technician is quoting the same way, regardless of their individual experience level. Clarity reduces disputes, professional layouts build trust, and modern clients expect instant digital delivery.

When you provide a visual representation of the work, you eliminate the ambiguity that leads to unpaid “extra” visits. Many teams find success by integrating diagramming software for pest control treatment planning to map out bait stations and entry points directly on a site photo. This level of detail justifies a higher price point because the client can see exactly where their money is going.

To keep your operations lean, consider these three pillars for every bid:

• Comprehensive site diagrams that highlight specific zones of activity
• Explicit lists of chemical barriers and physical exclusion materials
• Defined follow-up schedules that limit the number of free return visits

By locking in these variables, you move away from hourly billing and toward value-based pricing. This protects your margin even if a job takes slightly longer than anticipated.

Mastering Unit Based Pricing and Inflation Buffers

Relying on “flat rates” for every property size is a recipe for disaster in an economy with volatile material costs. Instead, transition to a unit-based pricing model where the quote scales automatically based on square footage or the number of linear meters requiring treatment. This ensures that a larger commercial warehouse is priced with the same margin logic as a small terraced house.

Current benchmarks suggest that material costs should stay between 5% and 8% of the total job value to maintain healthy cash flow. If your chemical suppliers raise their prices, your unit-based calculator should reflect that change across all pending quotes instantly.

You should also include a specific inflation buffer or a “seasonal surcharge” during peak months when demand for technicians is highest. This isn’t about price gouging; it is about managing capacity and ensuring that the most urgent jobs are the most profitable ones. If your schedule is 95% full, the remaining 5% of your time should be sold at a premium.

Managing the Quote Cycle with Digital Tools

The time from an initial site visit to a signed contract is known as the quote cycle time, and it is a critical KPI if you’re aiming for growth. Every day a quote sits in a customer’s inbox is a day your competitors have to swoop in with a lower offer. Digital signatures and automated follow-ups are no longer optional extras; they are the baseline for a modern service business.

A fast response signals professionalism and reliability to a customer who is likely stressed by a pest discovery. When you combine a quick turnaround with clear warranty terms, you reduce the perceived risk for the client. A well-drafted warranty should specify that the guarantee is only valid if the client follows your sanitation recommendations.

This protects you from “forever jobs” where a client’s poor hygiene practices lead to re-infestation. By tying the price to a specific set of conditions, you ensure that your liability is capped and your margin remains intact throughout the contract’s lifecycle.

Tracking Your Gross Margin Variance

Once the job is completed, the quoting work isn’t truly over until you compare your estimated costs with the actual expenses. This is known as gross margin variance. If you estimated two hours of labour but the technician stayed for four, your quote was flawed. Tracking this variance allows you to adjust your pricing for future jobs.

Data reveals that 85.2% of residential pest revenue is now driven by recurring service models. This means that an error in your initial quote doesn’t just hurt you once; it hurts you every month for the duration of the contract. Regularly auditing your “actual vs. estimated” costs is the only way to catch these leaks before they sink your annual projections.

Pushing the Pest Control Industry Forward

Improving your internal processes is a continuous journey that relies on the right mix of strategy and technology. For more insights on optimising your operations and improving efficiency, regardless of the niche your business occupies, explore our recent guides.