Alan Greenspan, the former Federal Reserve chairman who steered U.S. monetary policy for 18 years and later publicly questioned Bitcoin's intrinsic value, died this week at age 100. His death marks the end of an era for central banking — and removes one of the earliest high-profile skeptics of cryptocurrency from the public stage.
An 18-year run at the Fed
Greenspan served as Fed chair from 1987 to 2006, presiding over periods of low inflation, the dot-com boom, and the aftermath of 9/11. He was known for his often-opaque speaking style and his belief that markets largely self-regulate. After leaving office, he didn't disappear — he kept commenting on economic and financial trends, including the rise of cryptocurrencies.
His crypto comments
Greenspan weighed in on Bitcoin and digital assets several times after his tenure. He questioned whether they had any intrinsic value and expressed doubt about their long-term viability. At a time when crypto was still fringe, his words carried weight among traditional finance circles. He wasn't alone among former Fed officials in that skepticism, but his longevity and stature made his view a reference point for critics.
What his death means for crypto discourse
Greenspan had been largely out of the public eye in recent years, so his passing doesn't shift any policy debate today. Still, it's a reminder that the generation of economists who built the post-Bretton Woods financial system never warmed to an asset class built to bypass central banks. The crypto industry has long argued that time is on its side — and Greenspan's death underscores that generational turnover is real.
His comments on crypto were never regulatory actions, just opinions. But they helped shape the narrative among institutional investors who grew up under his Fed. That narrative is slowly changing, but not because of anything Greenspan said. The market itself has changed.
Funeral arrangements haven't been announced publicly. The Federal Reserve will likely issue a formal statement in the coming days. For crypto, the story isn't about Greenspan's death — it's about where those same questions of value and viability stand in 2026, with a new generation of regulators and a market that's weathered multiple cycles.
