Senate Confirms Jonathan Gould as OCC Chief Amid Pro-Crypto Policy Shift

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Jonathan Gould, a former blockchain executive, as the new Comptroller of the Currency, signaling a regulatory pivot favoring the crypto industry under President Donald Trump. Approved in a narrow 50-45 vote, Gould will lead the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), which supervises national banks and plays a key role in shaping crypto policy.

Gould previously served as senior deputy comptroller and chief counsel at the OCC during the Trump era. He worked under then-Acting Comptroller Brian Brooks, who helped Anchorage Digital secure the first crypto bank charter. Gould later joined Brooks at Bitfury, a blockchain firm, as chief legal officer.

The OCC’s approach to crypto regulation shifted significantly under President Biden, adopting a more cautious stance. Alongside the Federal Reserve and FDIC, the OCC issued restrictive guidance to banks interacting with digital asset firms. Critics in the industry accused the agencies of contributing to "debanking"—a practice where crypto businesses are denied access to U.S. banking services.

Gould's appointment marks a reversal of that trend, aligning with Trump’s broader deregulatory agenda to open up the financial sector to crypto innovation. However, during his confirmation hearing in April, Gould offered limited detail on his crypto strategy but acknowledged the need to address the industry's banking access challenges.

His confirmation follows that of Paul Atkins, another Trump appointee now heading the SEC, further shaping a regulatory environment more favorable to digital assets. As Gould prepares to take office, crypto firms are watching closely for signs of new policy direction, particularly regarding federal banking access and charter opportunities.

Gould’s return to the OCC could usher in a new era of regulatory clarity and openness for the U.S. crypto ecosystem.