Trump to Faucet Former CFTC Commissioner, a16z Coverage Head Brian Quintenz for CFTC Head

Brian Quintenz, a one-time commissioner with the Commodity Futures Buying and selling Fee, and Andreessen Horowitz’s head of coverage, might be Donald Trump’s option to run the federal commodities regulator.

Quintenz beforehand served within the regulator between 2017 and 2021, the place he organized the Expertise Advisory Committee. Throughout his time as commissioner, he stated a self-regulatory group particular to the crypto trade might assist oversee firms.

Since leaving the company, he joined a16z, the place he turned the top of coverage. A16z was one of many main funders of Fairshake, a crypto-focused political motion committee which poured near $140 million into the 2024 election.

Punchbowl Information first reported the nomination.

In an announcement, Appearing CFTC Chair Caroline Pham stated, “I congratulate my good friend Brian Quintenz on his choice for CFTC Chairman. I labored with Brian on essential initiatives that he led to success when he was a CFTC Commissioner. He’ll do the identical for crypto and innovation. I look ahead to supporting Brian and his management on the CFTC.”

Trade teams likewise supported the nomination after information of it unfold. Miller Whitehouse-Levine, the CEO of the DeFi Training Fund, a lobbying group, stated the group seemed ahead to working with him.

“Brian has an extended observe document of supporting DeFi and advocating for sound insurance policies that may allow DeFi builders and customers to thrive in america,” he stated in an announcement.

In recent times, the trade and Congress have pushed towards giving the CFTC larger oversight of the trade.

Former CFTC Chair Rostin Behnam advocated for making the company a major market regulator for no less than components of the trade, together with overseeing spot Bitcoin markets.

A invoice, the Monetary Innovation and Expertise for the twenty first Century Act, would have given the CFTC larger authority over crypto coverage. The Home handed it final 12 months, but it surely didn’t undergo the Senate.