If Kevin Walsh becomes Fed Chair, expect a significant market repricing with a stronger dollar, falling growth stocks, a retreat from risk assets, and more restrictive policy rates for crypto throughout 2026.
"A wash chairmanship would be stark, particularly as traders don't seem to be pricing that in with as much likelihood as the betting markets would suggest. A sharp turnaround in expectations if Walsh's odds were to significantly rise from here would have a more dramatic market impact as a result. Should Trump actually choose him, expect an immediate repricing, a stronger dollar, growth stocks down, and a scramble out of risk assets. For crypto, this would mean the pricing in of more restrictive policy rates well into 2026. Funding costs would remain pinned at higher levels. Tempered risk sentiment would weigh down flows, and higher real yields would offer competition to Bitcoin's digital gold narrative. Doesn't sound great for bulls."