Former Bitfury Executive Jonathan Gould Confirmed to Lead US Banking Regulator OCC
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Jonathan Gould, a former Bitfury executive and previous senior official at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), to lead the agency. This confirmation, part of President Donald Trump's broader appointments, signals a significant shift towards a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment within the U.S. banking sector.
Gould's Return to the OCC
Jonathan Gould's confirmation marks his return to the OCC, where he previously served as senior deputy comptroller and chief counsel from 2018 to 2021. His prior tenure included working under Acting Comptroller Brian Brooks, who actively sought to integrate digital assets into the banking system, notably by chartering Anchorage Digital as the first crypto bank. After Brooks' departure, Gould joined Bitfury as chief legal officer.
Key Takeaways
- Senate Confirmation: Gould was confirmed by a 50-45 vote in the U.S. Senate on Thursday, July 10, 2025.
- Pro-Crypto Stance: His appointment aligns with President Trump's policy directives aimed at easing regulatory pathways for the cryptocurrency sector.
- Previous Experience: Gould brings experience from both the OCC and the blockchain industry (Bitfury).
- Addressing "Debanking": During his confirmation hearing, Gould committed to addressing the issue of industry personnel being cut off from banking services.
Shifting Regulatory Landscape
Gould's confirmation is part of a broader trend under the Trump administration to reshape financial regulatory bodies. This includes the earlier confirmation of Paul Atkins to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These appointments are seen by many as catering to the interests of the crypto industry, reversing the more cautious approach taken by regulators during the previous administration, which had issued restrictive guidance to banks engaging with digital assets.
Impact on Digital Assets
While Gould's specific plans for crypto policies at the OCC remain to be fully detailed, his background and the administration's stance suggest a more accommodating environment for digital assets. The Senate is also actively working on establishing a market structure for digital assets, with a goal to draft and vote on a bill by September 30. This legislative push, alongside new leadership at key regulatory agencies, indicates a significant move towards clearer and potentially more favorable regulations for the crypto industry in the United States.