Sources familiar with the matter said that US President Donald Trump has chosen Brian Quintenz, the policy chief at a16z, as the permanent chairman of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Quintenz’s appointment at CFTC could be a big win for the crypto industry considering that he has very closely worked with crypto players in the past.
Brian Quintenz to Be the Permanent US CFTC Chair?
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly chosen Brian Quintenz, current Head of Policy at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) Crypto and a former CFTC, to be the permanent chairperson of the agency. Qunitenz was among the candidates interviewed by Donald Trump for the US CFTC chair position.
Although the White House has yet to make an official announcement regarding this, Fox Business Journalist Eleanor Terret said that officials within the CFTC have confirmed the appointment. Speaking on the development, Caroline D. Pham, the acting chairman of the US CFTC said:
“I congratulate my friend Brian Quintenz on his selection for CFTC Chairman. 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. I look forward to supporting Brian and his leadership at the CFTC.”
What It Means For the Crypto Industry?
Brian Quintenz has been leading the crypto policy at venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and has a good grasp of the functioning of the crypto industry. This will help in policymaking while properly understanding the crypto industry requirements instead of taking the regulation-by-enforcement approach.
If confirmed, Brian Quintenz would serve as a key link between digital assets and traditional finance. During his tenure at the CFTC, Quintenz advocated for digital asset derivatives and event contracts—policies he has actively promoted at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). His extensive experience makes him well-suited to navigate the agency through evolving crypto regulations and market dynamics.
The Crypto Pilot Program By the Regulator
Last week, the US CFTC announced that it plans to hold a CEO forum in order to discuss the launch of its crypto pilot program. Crypto firms such as Circle, Ripple, Coinbase, and Crypto.com will be among the key participants in the program.
This pilot program will particularly cater to tokenized non-cash collateral such as stablecoins. This decision also highlights the notable efforts of Acting Chair Caroline Pham, who previously proposed a CFTC pilot program designed as a regulatory sandbox to offer greater clarity for the crypto industry. Her initiative aimed to foster innovation while ensuring compliance within the evolving digital asset landscape.
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