U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen has narrowed the list of candidates for the chair of the Federal Reserve System (Fed) to five individuals. Among the finalists is Michelle Bowman, known for her support of cryptocurrencies and her commitment to easing monetary policy.
This is reported by Finway
Five finalists for the Fed chair position
In addition to Bowman, who currently serves as the Vice Chair for Supervision at the Fed, the list of candidates includes:
- Christopher Waller — member of the Fed’s Board of Governors;
- Kevin Hassett — director of the National Economic Council;
- Kevin Warsh — former member of the Fed’s Board of Governors;
- Rick Rieder — Chief Investment Officer of BlackRock Fixed Income.
According to reports, the next round of interviews is expected to take place in the coming weeks with the participation of two unnamed representatives from the Treasury and two officials from the White House. After the final consultations, Bessen will present the shortened list to President Donald Trump after Thanksgiving. The final decision on the approval of the new chair rests with the U.S. Senate.
Michelle Bowman’s stance on cryptocurrencies
Michelle Bowman stands out among the candidates for her open support of the development of the cryptocurrency sector and initiatives for easing monetary policy. In July 2025, she called for a reduction in interest rates, and a year earlier, she supported the idea of implementing regulations for stablecoins.
“Michelle Bowman, who is on the list, holds a pro-cryptocurrency position. In July 2025, she called for a reduction in interest rates, and prior to that, in 2024, she supported the regulation of the stablecoin sector.”
The current Fed chair Jerome Powell’s term ends in May 2026. Despite repeated criticism of Powell from President Trump, the head of state cannot replace him before the end of his term due to limitations on his powers. Interestingly, earlier media reports mentioned the possible appointment of Stephen Miran, who was recently added to the Board of Governors, but his name did not appear on the final list of candidates.