Goldman's Probable Next CEO: John Waldron and His 2021 Bitcoin Remarks

Goldman Sachs president John Waldron, widely viewed as the bank's eventual chief executive, remarked in 2021 that client interest in Bitcoin (BTC) was growing. That statement provides a sense of his approach to the crypto market.

Goldman's board has held discussions about a transition from David Solomon, according to The Wall Street Journal. Waldron might take over near the end of 2027 or in 2028, though the bank says no final timeline has been set.

Goldman's President in Line for the Top Job

Waldron, who is 57, came to Goldman in 2000. In 2014 he was appointed co-head of investment banking, and his tenure as president and chief operating officer (COO) began in October 2018, at the same time Solomon became CEO.

In 2025 the board named him a director and awarded him a retention bonus. Mike Mayo, a Wells Fargo analyst, has tied Waldron's anticipated promotion to that incentive.

Waldron is not expected to overturn the strategy Solomon put in place, according to the report.

"They have been driving Goldman’s priorities together."

Mayo said that about Waldron and Solomon.

Waldron has meanwhile headed a big undertaking. The bank's proxy statement attributes the development of OneGS 3.0, an AI-driven efficiency plan, to him. An October 2025 staff memo limited headcount growth through year-end and signaled modest cuts in roles.

Bitcoin in 2021: Waldron's Comments

In March 2021, Waldron said a larger number of clients wanted to hold and invest in Bitcoin. Goldman, he added, was hunting for a compliant way to serve those clients.

"Client demand is rising."

The firm had brought back its crypto trading desk and started offering Bitcoin futures to clients. A Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) was also under consideration.

Half a decade later, Goldman's digital assets business has branched into tokenization. In July 2025, Bank of New York Mellon (BNY) agreed to use Goldman's blockchain-enabled Digital Asset Platform (GS DAP) to track ownership of select money market funds.

Waldron's more recent public comments have centered on artificial intelligence rather than crypto. Were he promoted, he would inherit a sector where banks are weighing stablecoins and tokenization.

Solomon would reportedly remain executive chairman for one to two years, with the board still needing to approve the plan. Should the board sign off, the initial statements Waldron delivers as CEO might indicate what direction he would take Goldman's crypto operations.