Trump Appoints Former Bitfury Executive to Lead U.S. Banking Regulator

Former Bitfury executive and banking regulator Jonathan Gould has been nominated by Donald Trump to lead the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the top U.S. banking oversight agency.

On February 11, the White House submitted Gould’s nomination to the Senate. If confirmed, he will serve a five-year term as Comptroller of the Currency.

Gould, previously Chief Legal Officer at blockchain infrastructure firm Bitfury, is currently a partner at the law firm Jones Day. He also held key roles in the OCC during Trump’s first administration, serving as Senior Deputy Comptroller and Chief Counsel from late 2018 to mid-2021. Before that, he was a director at BlackRock from 2014 to 2018.

The OCC regulates and supervises national banks in the U.S. Federal Reserve System, including major institutions like JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, ensuring the stability and security of the banking sector.

Kristin Smith, CEO of the Blockchain Association, praised Gould’s appointment on X, calling him a “fantastic choice for Comptroller of the Currency,” emphasizing that his crypto industry background makes him well-equipped to lead the agency effectively.

Avichal Garg, co-founder of investment firm Electric Capital, also welcomed the nomination, describing it as “a very positive development” for fintech and crypto entrepreneurs seeking better access to financial services.