Trump's Fed chair shortlist of 11 includes several with crypto ties

The administration is reportedly vetting a group of 11 candidates to replace Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve chair when his current chair term expires in May. Several people on the list have histories or public comments that suggest a more constructive view of cryptocurrencies and related markets.

Named figures said to be under consideration include Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan, former St. Louis Fed President James Bullard, Fed Vice Chair Philip Jefferson, Fed Governor Christopher Waller, Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman, and former Fed governor Larry Lindsey. The roster also reportedly contains outside candidates such as Marc Sumerlin, Jefferies chief market strategist David Zervos, and BlackRock’s global fixed income CIO Rick Rieder.

Some of the prospective picks have signaled openness to digital assets. Rick Rieder — whose firm runs large Bitcoin and Ether exchange-traded funds — has previously said he views Bitcoin as likely to remain part of investors’ asset allocations and has described crypto as having staying power. Those comments and BlackRock’s ETF positions have drawn attention because of the firm’s influence in traditional markets.

Within the Fed, both Michelle Bowman and Christopher Waller have made remarks indicating a measured, exploratory approach to crypto. Bowman has suggested Fed staff should be allowed to hold small crypto positions for learning purposes, while Waller has described crypto payments as a new technology that the banking system should not fear. These positions contrast with Jerome Powell’s generally cautious tone on crypto, although Powell has acknowledged its growing mainstream presence.

Separately, Jefferies — the employer of one listed candidate — has been involved with several crypto-linked deals and clients, from exchanges to stablecoin issuers, and reportedly dedicates resources to the sector. Observers note these professional ties when assessing how a Fed chair pick might approach regulation and the broader market environment.

Powell’s chair term ends in May, though his longer Fed board appointment runs through early 2028. Market participants are watching both personnel decisions and Fed communications closely because interest-rate policy influences liquidity and risk-taking, which in turn affects demand for volatile assets such as cryptocurrencies.