Agency selects former OCC official, Gould, as its new leader
New Comptroller of the Currency in the U.S., Jonathan Gould, Set to Shape Fintech and Crypto Regulation
Jonathan Gould, a seasoned regulatory expert with a unique blend of public and private sector experience, has been confirmed as the Comptroller of the Currency in the United States. The Senate approved his nomination in a 50–45 vote on July 10, 2025.
As the key federal regulator overseeing national banks and federal savings associations, Gould's influence on the country's banking policies and regulatory framework is significant. His role in fintech disruption and the banking industry is particularly notable, with his background and regulatory philosophy poised to shape the intersection of fintech, crypto technologies, and regulatory change.
Prior to his current leadership role, Gould served as Senior Deputy Comptroller and Chief Counsel at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) during the first Trump Administration. This direct regulatory experience, coupled with his tenure as the chief legal officer at Bitfury Group Ltd., a leading blockchain infrastructure and crypto technology company, gives Gould deep insight into the cryptocurrency industry and blockchain technology.
Gould's confirmation is seen as a boost to crypto regulation in the U.S., signaling a shift toward integrating blockchain and cryptocurrency expertise within federal financial oversight. His background positions him to influence regulatory approaches to crypto banking charters, digital asset custody, and compliance standards, potentially fostering an innovation-friendly environment while ensuring risk management.
During his confirmation hearing, Gould emphasized several priorities reflecting his approach to fintech and banking regulation. He emphasized the importance of tailoring supervisory expectations to the size and business model of banks, allowing banks to engage in "prudent risk-taking" to fulfill their economic role, and supporting innovation by identifying safe and sound ways for banks to engage in lawful emerging activities.
Gould's appointment has garnered support from both the crypto industry and traditional financial institutions, including endorsements from the American Bankers Association and prominent senators such as Mike Crapo. His unique blend of public regulatory experience and private sector crypto expertise puts him at the forefront of efforts to modernize and adapt banking oversight to new technologies and market realities.
Since September 2022, Gould has been a partner at law firm Jones Day in Washington, D.C. Ian Moloney, senior vice president and head of policy and regulatory affairs at the AFC, supports Gould's nomination, citing his commitment to innovation and consumer protection.
Gould led the OCC's legal and licensing team through a period of regulatory revision, including the implementation of the Economic Growth Act. During his previous stint at the OCC, the regulator chartered the first fintech (Varo Bank) and crypto banks (Anchorage Digital).
If confirmed, Gould will replace Rodney Hood in the OCC role. The American Fintech Council has released a statement in support of Gould's nomination, stating that the OCC can create a more consistent and transparent regulatory environment with modernized supervisory practices and inter-agency collaboration. The Senate Banking Committee is expected to set a date for a nomination hearing for Gould.
Gould's efforts at the OCC included lessening the regulatory burden on smaller banks. Like many of President Donald Trump's nominees, Gould appears more amenable to crypto than the chief banking regulators seen during the Biden administration. However, Gould was not immediately available for comment, and a spokesperson for the OCC declined to do so.
- With his extensive background in the cryptocurrency industry and blockchain technology, the newly appointed Comptroller of the Currency, Jonathan Gould, is expected to significantly influence regulatory approaches to crypto banking charters, digital asset custody, and compliance standards.
- As the key federal regulator, Gould's role in the intersection of fintech, crypto technologies, and regulatory change could foster an innovation-friendly environment while ensuring risk management, potentially garnering support from both the crypto industry and traditional financial institutions.
