Trump Praises Chris Waller as Fed Chair Contender, Signals Decision Within Weeks

Trump Offers Strong Endorsement of Chris Waller

US President Donald Trump has publicly praised Federal Reserve Governor Chris Waller, describing him as “great” as speculation intensifies over who will replace current Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Trump highlighted Waller’s experience and longstanding presence within the Federal Reserve system.

“I think he’s great. I mean, he’s been a man who’s been there a long time. Somebody that I was very involved with in the sense of his career, and he’s a fantastic man,” Trump said.

Trump confirmed that he has narrowed his shortlist to three or four candidates and expects to announce his decision within the next few weeks.

Waller Seen as Relatively Crypto-Friendly

Waller has recently drawn attention from the crypto industry due to his comparatively open stance on digital assets. At the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium in August 2025, Waller stated that there is “nothing to be afraid of” when it comes to crypto payments operating outside the traditional banking system.

Those comments have positioned him as one of the more crypto-tolerant figures within the Federal Reserve, particularly as policymakers debate how decentralized finance and digital payments fit into existing financial frameworks.

Odds and Other Contenders on Trump’s Shortlist

According to data from crypto prediction platform Polymarket, Waller currently holds a 14% probability of being selected as the next Fed chair, making him the third most likely candidate.

Other leading contenders include:

• Kevin Hassett, White House economic adviser, at 53% odds

• Kevin Warsh, former Federal Reserve governor, at 28% odds

• Michelle Bowman, current Fed governor, at 2% odds

While Trump declined to confirm Bowman’s inclusion on the shortlist, he described her as a “fantastic person,” adding further intrigue to the selection process.

“I think every one of them would be a good choice, honestly,” Trump said of the finalists.

Why the Fed Chair Pick Matters for Crypto Markets

The crypto industry is closely monitoring the Fed chair race due to the Federal Reserve’s outsized influence on interest rates and liquidity conditions.

Lower interest rates historically push investors toward higher-risk assets, including cryptocurrencies, as returns from bonds and savings products decline. Conversely, tighter monetary policy often weighs on speculative assets across both traditional and digital markets.

With Trump signaling a potentially more crypto-aware Federal Reserve leadership, traders and institutions alike are watching for policy signals that could shape market direction into 2026.

What Happens Next

Trump indicated that an official announcement could come before the end of the year, though he emphasized that the decision would be made “pretty soon.”

Until then, markets are likely to remain sensitive to headlines around monetary policy, regulatory tone, and the evolving relationship between the Federal Reserve and the crypto economy.

See all our insights: Bitcoin World News