Fed Executive Advocates for Crypto Ownership Among Central Bank Staff

Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman has proposed allowing central bank staff to hold small amounts of cryptocurrency, arguing that firsthand exposure WOULD enhance regulatory understanding of digital asset markets. Speaking at the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium, Bowman likened the necessity of practical experience to learning to ski—"There’s no replacement for experimenting and understanding how that ownership and transfer process flows."

The current Fed prohibition on crypto holdings may hinder talent recruitment, as private-sector roles increasingly value digital asset familiarity. Bowman's "de minimis" proposal aims to bridge this gap while providing regulators with actionable insights into crypto-related activities at banks and financial institutions.