Kevin Warsh Archives

Kevin Warsh has taken over the Federal Reserve at a tense time for financial markets. Bitcoin barely moved after the ceremony, but traders are already looking at his first rate meeting in June. Good to Know Kevin Warsh was sworn in as the 17th Federal Reserve chair on Friday. Bitcoin traded near $77,400 during the session, but dropped to $75,200 in the hours after. Crypto traders are watching interest rates, inflation and the Fed balance sheet. Bitcoin Traders Look Past The Ceremony Bitcoin stayed close to $77,400 after Kevin Warsh became the new Federal Reserve chair, which suggests traders had already priced in the leadership change. The price dropped to as low as $75,207 and is currently trading at $75,457 as per CoinMarketCap data. Warsh, 56, replaces Jerome Powell, who had led the Fed since 2018. Powell will remain on the Fed board as a governor until 2028. The Senate confirmed Warsh on May 13 in a 54-45 vote, with Senator John Fetterman as the only Democrat to support him. At the White House ceremony, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas administered the oath. Warsh became the first Fed leader sworn in at the executive mansion since Alan Greenspan in 1987. Warsh said: “Our mandate at the Fed is to promote price stability and maximum employment. When we pursue those aims with wisdom and clarity, independence and resolve, inflation can be lower, growth stronger, real take-home pay higher.” For Bitcoin and the wider crypto market, the first real test comes at the June 17 FOMC meeting. Traders are not only watching whether rates stay unchanged. They are also watching how Warsh talks about liquidity. Warsh has supported a smaller Fed balance sheet, and that could create a tougher setup for risk assets. Crypto rallies often get help from easier money, lower yields and looser financial conditions. A faster balance sheet reduction could work the other way. At the same time, Warsh enters with a rare crypto profile for a Fed chair. His financial disclosure showed indirect holdings across DeFi lending, Layer 1 networks and prediction markets before he pledged full divestiture. However, that background may not mean easier policy. Inflation remains above the Fed 2% target, oil prices are above $100 per barrel, and consumer sentiment sits near historic lows. Markets currently see almost no chance of a June rate cut, while some traders have started to price in possible hikes in early 2027. President Trump told the audience he wants Warsh to be “totally independent,” even after repeatedly criticizing Powell over rate policy. Warsh also said he would not predetermine interest rates at the request of any elected official.

Kevin Warsh

Kevin Warsh Takes Fed Chair, Bitcoin Goes Down to $75K