Trump’s CFTC Chair Pick Could Signal Key Changes for Crypto Regulation

Donald Trump's transition team has concluded interviews for the position of Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) chair, with Brian Quintenz emerging as a leading contender, according to reports from Bloomberg.

Quintenz, who has a strong background in crypto regulation, is seen as a fitting choice for the role, especially as the CFTC is expected to take a more prominent role in overseeing digital assets under the upcoming administration.

Having previously served as a CFTC Commissioner under both the Obama and Trump administrations, Quintenz played a pivotal role in the introduction of regulated Bitcoin and Ethereum futures contracts. He is currently advising a16z on crypto-related policy and investment strategies.

In recent weeks, Quintenz has been collaborating closely with David Sacks, Trump’s designated advisor on AI and crypto, further bolstering his position as a top candidate. His candidacy is also supported by a16z co-founders Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz.

As Trump’s team prepares to announce their choice for CFTC chair, other individuals, including current CFTC Commissioners Summer Mersinger and Caroline Pham, along with former officials Joshua Sterling and Neal Kumar, are still in consideration for the role.