Jonathan Gould Appointed to Lead OCC, Bringing Crypto Expertise to Banking Regulation

Jonathan Gould Appointed to Lead OCC, Bringing Crypto Expertise to Banking Regulation

Jonathan Gould, a former blockchain executive, has been appointed by President Donald Trump to lead the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Gould, who previously served as chief legal officer at Bitfury and held the position of senior deputy comptroller and chief counsel at the OCC, is expected to leverage his crypto expertise to shape the agency's approach to banking regulation.

Background and Expected Impact

Gould's appointment is seen as a strategic move to bring cryptocurrency expertise to the forefront of banking oversight. His background in crypto regulation and legal frameworks positions him to navigate the evolving landscape of digital assets. Ron Hammond, senior director of government relations at the Blockchain Association, has praised the selection, noting that Gould is well-prepared to "hit the ground running" and may follow in the footsteps of former Acting Comptroller Brian Brooks, who adopted a crypto-friendly stance during his tenure.

Crypto-Friendly Regulatory Shift

The OCC, responsible for regulating and supervising national banks and federal savings associations, is expected to engage more actively in crypto-related legislation under Gould's leadership. This includes potential collaboration with Congress on stablecoin regulation and market structure reforms. Gould's appointment aligns with a broader trend of President Trump installing crypto-friendly regulators in key federal agencies.

Broader Regulatory Changes

In addition to Gould's appointment, President Trump has proposed consolidating the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) with the OCC under the Treasury Department. This move, reported by The Wall Street Journal, reflects a broader effort to streamline financial regulation. Meanwhile, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has also seen leadership shifts, with Russell Vought halting supervision and enforcement actions and Jonathan McKernan, a former FDIC official, nominated to lead the agency.

Conclusion

Jonathan Gould's appointment to the OCC highlights a continued crypto-friendly stance in federal banking regulation. His expertise, combined with broader regulatory changes, signals a significant shift in how digital assets and traditional banking systems intersect. This development is expected to have far-reaching implications for the financial sector and crypto industry alike.