Nominated Former OCC Official Gould for Agency Head Position
Jonathan Gould, a partner at law firm Jones Day in Washington, D.C., has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the permanent Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in a 50-45 vote on July 10, 2025. His nomination marks a return to a more crypto-friendly and innovation-tolerant regulatory environment.
Gould's confirmation follows his tenure as Senior Deputy Comptroller and Chief Counsel at the OCC from 2018 to 2021, during the Trump administration. He previously served in the private sector, including as Chief Legal Officer at Bitfury, a blockchain and crypto mining company. This background in the crypto industry, combined with support from crypto-focused trade groups such as the Blockchain Association and the American Fintech Council, signals Gould's pro-innovation stance.
Gould is expected to push the OCC towards supporting lawful crypto activities and reducing regulatory barriers for banks engaging in emerging financial technologies. His regulatory philosophy emphasizes tailored bank supervision aligned with each institution’s size and business model, and the importance of "prudent risk-taking" by banks. He has pledged to reduce the use of reputational risk in bank examinations and to address de-banking concerns, particularly focusing on the perception that some banks have dropped customers for political reasons.
If confirmed, Gould will replace Rodney Hood as the head of the OCC. His nomination hearing is necessary for him to take the role, which requires Senate confirmation. The Senate Banking Committee is expected to set a date for a nomination hearing for Gould.
Industry groups representing community banks and fintech firms alike have welcomed Gould's confirmation. The American Fintech Council has released a statement in support of Gould's nomination, citing his commitment to responsible innovation and consumer protection. Consumer Bankers Association CEO Lindsey Johnson looks forward to working with Gould.
During his previous tenure at the OCC, Gould led the legal and licensing team through a period of regulatory revision and chartered the first fintech (Varo Bank) and crypto banks (Anchorage Digital). His efforts included the implementation of the Economic Growth Act, which lessened the regulatory burden on smaller banks.
Gould's nomination suggests a more amenable approach to crypto compared to the chief banking regulators during the Biden administration. Former Acting Comptroller of the Currency Brian Brooks, who worked under Gould, also has work experience at Binance.US and is on the board at crypto-friendly business intelligence firm MicroStrategy.
From February 2022 to September 2022, Gould was the chief legal officer at blockchain firm Bitfury. Since then, he has worked in the private sector. Ian Moloney, senior vice president and head of policy and regulatory affairs at the AFC, expressed support for Gould's nomination, citing his background in both public banking regulation and private crypto-sector legal counsel.
Gould's comments were not immediately available, and a spokesperson for the OCC declined to comment. However, his confirmation and background indicate a promising future for the crypto and fintech sectors under his leadership at the OCC.
- With his background as the former Chief Legal Officer at Bitfury, a blockchain and crypto mining company, and his pro-innovation stance, Jonathan Gould's confirmation as the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) signals a more favorable regulatory environment for lawful crypto activities and fintech innovation.
- Gould's regulatory philosophy emphasizes prudent risk-taking by banks, tailored bank supervision, and reducing de-banking concerns, which could potentially encourage business growth in the technology sector, particularly in finance and investing.
