U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly chosen Brian Quintenz as the next chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), signaling a potential shift in the regulatory landscape for digital assets.
According to Fox Business reporter Eleanor Terrett, Quintenz, a former CFTC commissioner and current head of policy at Andreessen Horowitz’s (a16z) crypto division, is expected to take the top role at the regulatory agency. Though the White House has not yet made an official announcement, sources within the CFTC have confirmed the selection.
Acting CFTC Chair Caroline Pham welcomed the move, congratulating Quintenz and citing his past leadership on digital asset regulation. “I congratulate my friend Brian Quintenz on his selection for CFTC Chairman,” Pham said in a statement. “I worked with Brian on important initiatives that he led to success when he was a CFTC Commissioner. He will do the same for crypto and innovation.”
A History of Pro-Crypto Advocacy
Quintenz previously served as a Republican commissioner at the CFTC from 2016 to 2020 during Trump’s first term. Throughout his tenure, he actively supported the integration of digital asset derivatives and crypto products into the federal regulatory framework. His return to the agency could mark a significant shift in how the CFTC approaches oversight of the digital asset sector.
In March, Quintenz criticized the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under Chair Gary Gensler for its treatment of Ether (ETH). He argued that the SEC had contradicted itself by approving Ether futures exchange-traded funds (ETFs) while simultaneously leaving uncertainty around the asset’s legal classification. “If the SEC had any doubt about the regulatory treatment of ETH, it wouldn’t have approved the ETF,” Quintenz stated, emphasizing the need for clearer regulatory guidelines.
Under Pham’s interim leadership, the CFTC has already taken steps toward expanding digital asset market oversight. The agency recently launched a digital asset markets pilot program focused on tokenized non-cash collateral such as stablecoins, with discussions set to take place at an upcoming CEO Forum featuring industry leaders from Circle, Coinbase, Crypto.com, MoonPay, and Ripple. “The CFTC is committed to responsible innovation,” Pham said in a February 7 press release. “I look forward to engaging with market participants to deliver on the Trump administration’s promise of ensuring that America leads the way on economic opportunity.”
Regulatory Landscape in Flux
If confirmed, Quintenz is expected to advocate for the CFTC’s role as the primary regulator of digital assets, potentially challenging the SEC’s jurisdiction over the sector. This move aligns with broader regulatory shifts under the Trump administration, which has also nominated Jonathan Gould, a partner at Jones Day, as Comptroller of the Currency, and Jonathan McKernan as head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Meanwhile, the CFPB remains in a state of uncertainty. Acting Director Russell Vought, who also heads the White House Office of Management and Budget, has reportedly ordered the agency to halt most operations. If confirmed, McKernan will face the challenge of reviving the agency’s role in consumer financial protection.
Quintenz’s appointment could bring long-sought regulatory clarity for the digital asset industry. With Europe and Asia already moving ahead with blockchain-based financial markets, the U.S. has lagged behind in integrating tokenized assets. The CFTC’s Global Markets Advisory Committee has been advocating for the use of blockchain technology in finance, and last year, its Digital Asset Markets Subcommittee recommended allowing tokenized non-cash collateral in derivatives trading.
