At a recent press conference, Donald Trump gave an unambiguously positive assessment of Chris Waller: “I think he’s great! I’ve known him a long time and I’ve been actively involved in his career! He’s a fantastic person!”. At the same time, the president clarified that the process of selecting the new head of the Federal Reserve is still ongoing and should conclude “in the coming weeks.”
Main statement from Trump about Chris Waller
In the interview, Trump again emphasized his acquaintance with Waller and described him as a top‑level professional, noting his personal support and involvement in Waller’s career. Such direct presidential praise was offered as commendation and does not equal an official appointment, since Trump indicated the final decision has not yet been made.
The president also noted that the number of contenders has been significantly reduced, but formally there remain about 3–4 candidates on the final list. Trump said that all remaining candidates possess the necessary competencies for the Fed chair position.
Who is Chris Waller and why is interest in his candidacy growing
Interest in Waller’s candidacy has intensified because of his public stance on digital assets, which has drawn attention from both regulators and market participants. In some discussions, his remarks are interpreted as an indicator of possible future Fed rhetoric on cryptocurrencies.
To understand why his comments matter to the crypto community, it is useful to read a more detailed analysis of his views and their policy implications — see the piece on Waller's position.
Waller’s statement at Wyoming Blockchain Symposium 2025
In August, at the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium 2025, Waller said that crypto payments do not pose a systemic threat to the traditional financial system. That remark became central to assessments of his stance on digital assets and increased interest in his candidacy among supporters of a softer regulatory approach.
The market interpreted this rhetoric as a signal that the Fed could take a more flexible position if he were appointed, and that influence is being discussed in professional and investment circles, including topics related to the dynamics of spot ETFs and other market segments.
Candidate situation and timeline
Trump confirmed that the final decision on the new chair has not yet been made, although the candidate pool has already been considerably narrowed. According to him, there are roughly 3–4 people on the final list, and the president plans to complete the selection in the coming weeks.
Journalists asked about Michele Bowman, but Trump did not give a direct answer on whether she is included in the final list — he only described her as a “very professional specialist.” Such a description is not confirmation of an appointment and serves more as a general assessment of her qualifications.
Polymarket odds for the candidates
On the prediction exchange Polymarket, participants place roughly a 14% probability that Waller will become Fed chair, which puts him in third place by odds. These figures reflect platform users’ estimates, not official forecasts from the administration or regulators.
In the same sample, White House economic adviser on cryptocurrencies Kevin Hassett leads with 53%, and Kevin Warsh is second with 28% according to Polymarket stakes.
Why this matters
For a miner in Russia, an assessment of a candidate and their public statements do not immediately change day‑to‑day mining conditions, but they help set the tone of regulatory discussions around digital assets. If Fed rhetoric shifts toward a more lenient stance on crypto payments, it could affect investors’ and market participants’ perception of risk.
It is important to remember these are statements and user bets on a platform, not formal decisions, so any direct effects on a miner’s daily operations are unlikely in the short term. At the same time, growing attention to Waller’s candidacy increases the likelihood that cryptocurrency topics will be part of the regulatory agenda.
What to do?
- Follow official announcements from the White House and the Federal Reserve — key decisions and statements will appear in official sources.
- Monitor market reaction and candidate profiles, including public speeches and interviews, to assess the direction of regulatory rhetoric.
- Keep operational and record‑keeping documents for your mining farm in order: being prepared for rule changes will simplify adaptation if new requirements appear.
- Evaluate your financial buffer and electricity expense scenarios: in case of regulatory changes or market volatility, it’s important to have an action plan.
