President Donald Trump is conducting interviews to fill the Federal Reserve Chair position, a choice that shapes U.S. monetary policy and attracts attention across financial markets. Rick Rieder, BlackRock’s Chief Investment Officer, is set to meet the White House in the last week of December, and Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller will also be interviewed. Kevin Hassett, the White House National Economic Council chair, remains a leading candidate according to previous Bitcoin World reporting, and the President has said a final decision is expected in January.
What’s happening: Trump’s interviews for Fed Chair
The administration has moved forward with a compressed interview schedule that includes Rieder and Waller in the last week of December, followed by additional discussions with other contenders. President Trump has indicated he is already considering a specific candidate and that a decision will come in January, signaling a relatively fast selection process. Bitcoin World has reported on Kevin Hassett’s standing among contenders, keeping him in the mix as the process continues.
Who are the candidates being interviewed
Rick Rieder
Rick Rieder is BlackRock’s Chief Investment Officer and is scheduled to interview with President Trump in the last week of December. Rieder’s background is rooted in private-sector portfolio management and oversight of very large asset pools rather than in traditional central banking, which could bring a different perspective to the Fed Chair role.
Christopher Waller
Christopher Waller is a sitting Federal Reserve Governor who offers conventional institutional credentials and experience within the Fed system. Observers following his views on monetary policy and market implications can refer to coverage of his positions, including analyses of Waller’s crypto stance, for additional context on how his background might translate to the chairmanship.
Kevin Hassett
Kevin Hassett, chairman of the White House National Economic Council, remains a leading candidate in media reporting and brings political-economic experience from his White House role. For reporting on Hassett’s prospects within the selection process, see our piece on Hassett’s chances.
Why the Fed Chair selection matters
The Fed Chair sets the tone for monetary policy and has a direct influence on interest-rate decisions, inflation management, and broader economic stability. Those choices affect borrowing costs such as mortgages, car loans, and credit cards, and they shape conditions across financial markets as investors adjust to the likely policy path. Whoever takes the chair will also face immediate operational questions like balance-sheet management and the design of any stimulus measures.
Candidate backgrounds and likely policy leanings
Each finalist represents a different professional background that implies different priorities. Rieder’s private-sector experience means he’s accustomed to portfolio-level risk and market signals rather than central-bank operations, while Waller’s tenure at the Fed reflects institutional knowledge of monetary policy mechanics and governance. Hassett’s background ties him to political and economic policymaking at the White House level, bringing another distinct viewpoint to the role.
Market implications and timing
The late-December interviews and a January decision create a short window in which markets must price leadership uncertainty. Market participants typically prefer clarity on central-bank leadership because it reduces ambiguity about future interest-rate paths and balance-sheet choices. Asset classes, including cryptocurrencies, may react to signals about how aggressively the next chair would manage inflation and liquidity, but the immediate effect depends on the appointee’s stated approach after nomination.
What to watch next and timeline
The process to watch is straightforward: the scheduled interviews in the last week of December, followed by a final selection expected in January. Key public milestones that will clarify direction include the official White House announcement, any nominee statements about monetary-policy priorities, and the Federal Reserve’s public responses to the nomination.
- Official White House announcement of the nominee
- Nominee remarks on rate strategy, inflation and balance-sheet policy
- Fed communications and any rapid shifts in market pricing
Why this matters for miners in Russia
If you operate mining equipment in Russia, the Fed Chair choice matters primarily through its indirect effect on markets and asset prices. Changes in U.S. interest-rate expectations can influence global investor flows and the relative appeal of cryptocurrencies, which in turn may affect prices you receive for mined coins. At the same time, broader monetary policy shifts can alter financing conditions and market sentiment that matter when miners buy, sell or hedge positions.
What to do? Practical steps for small and mid-size miners (1–1,000 devices)
Keep monitoring the selection process and public statements from nominees, because those will be the clearest early indicators of policy direction. Maintain basic risk controls: track your operational costs, review any hedges or fiat exposure, and avoid making large capital commitments based solely on speculation about the appointment. Also, consider preparing for volatility in crypto prices around major announcements by setting clear thresholds for selling or holding mined coins.
- Follow official announcements and nominee statements closely.
- Monitor crypto price and liquidity; set practical sell/hold rules for mined coins.
- Review short-term budgets and avoid large unexpected investments until policy clarity improves.
FAQ
Who is being interviewed for the Fed Chair position?
President Trump is interviewing Rick Rieder and Christopher Waller and has Kevin Hassett as a leading candidate, according to reporting. Rieder’s interview is scheduled for the last week of December, while Waller will also meet with the White House.
When will the final decision be made?
President Trump has indicated a final decision is expected in January, following the December interviews.
Why is Rick Rieder’s candidacy significant?
Rieder is notable for his private-sector experience at BlackRock and for managing very large portfolios rather than for traditional central-banking roles, which could lead to a different operational perspective if he were chosen.
How does the Fed Chair affect ordinary borrowers?
The Fed Chair influences interest-rate policy that affects mortgages, car loans and credit cards, as well as broader employment and inflation dynamics that determine purchasing power over time.
What immediate challenges will the new Fed Chair face?
Whoever is appointed will confront decisions about the path of interest rates, balance-sheet management and the potential design of economic support measures, all while establishing credibility with markets and the public.
