Fed Proposes Letting Staff Own Crypto to Better Regulate It
Published
Fed Vice Chair Bowman suggests allowing staff to hold small crypto amounts to gain real-world experience aiding smarter oversight.
By Matt BrienenFederal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman proposed allowing Fed staff to own small, de minimis amounts of cryptocurrency to gain real-world insight. Speaking at a blockchain-focused event, she likened the learning process to skiing—you can’t just study it, you need to experience it firsthand.
Bowman argued that permitting staff to hold limited crypto assets would improve regulatory effectiveness, enhance decision-making, and help attract top talent to supervisory roles. While she didn’t define specific thresholds or asset classes, her emphasis was on the value of direct interaction with the technology being regulated.
This proposal signals a shift from traditional skepticism to a more innovation-forward stance within the Fed. If implemented, it could lead to a more informed, agile regulatory framework for crypto—bridging the gap between oversight and understanding.