John Waldron, currently president and COO of Goldman Sachs, is considered a top candidate to succeed CEO David Solomon. Reports suggest a potential leadership transition could occur around late 2027 or 2028, though the bank has not confirmed a specific timeline. Solomon would likely remain as executive chairman for one to two years following the handover.
Waldron joined the firm in 2000 and has served as president and COO since October 2018. In 2025, the board appointed him as a director and provided a retention bonus. Analysts suggest this move aligns with his expected promotion. He is credited with leading the OneGS 3.0 initiative, an efficiency strategy focused on artificial intelligence.
Regarding digital assets, Waldron noted in March 2021 that client demand for Bitcoin was increasing. At that time, the bank revived its crypto trading desk and began offering Bitcoin futures. The firm also explored the potential for a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund. Current efforts have shifted toward tokenization and blockchain-based infrastructure.
In July 2025, the Bank of New York Mellon partnered with Goldman Sachs to utilize the Digital Asset Platform, a blockchain-based system for tracking money market fund ownership. While Waldron has previously addressed crypto, his recent public commentary has focused primarily on AI. Future leadership will involve navigating the bank's ongoing work with stablecoins and tokenization.
