The US Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh as the 17th Chair of the Federal Reserve on May 13, 2026, in a 54-45 vote that will reshape the relationship between America’s central bank and digital assets for years to come.

Warsh took the oath of office on May 22, becoming the first Fed Chair in decades to be sworn in at the White House. He succeeds Jerome Powell.

A Fed Chair who actually owns crypto

Warsh disclosed personal holdings in over 30 cryptocurrency projects, including Solana and Bitcoin. That makes him the first Federal Reserve Chair with documented direct personal exposure to crypto tokens.

His estimated net worth sits somewhere between $131 million and $209 million.

During his confirmation hearings, Warsh told lawmakers he does not regard Bitcoin with trepidation. He went further, arguing that digital assets are integral to the future of American financial service industries.

Warsh also advocated for incorporating digital assets into the broader financial system, framing it as a matter of both consumer protection and expanded investment opportunities.

From crisis-era governor to Trump’s pick

Warsh served as a Fed Governor from 2006 to 2011, a stretch that covered the global financial crisis and the emergency measures that followed. After leaving the board, he landed at Stanford’s Hoover Institution as a fellow. President Donald Trump nominated Warsh for the top job.

The Senate vote broke largely along party lines at 54-45. Several senators expressed concerns during hearings about whether his personal crypto holdings could create conflicts of interest, though Warsh committed to recusal processes where appropriate.

What this means for crypto markets

Market analysts have interpreted his appointment as broadly beneficial for the crypto sector, with expectations rising for regulatory frameworks that actively support innovation rather than merely tolerate it.