Will a16z Crypto Policy Lead Brian Quintenz be the new US CFTC Chair?

As the Donald Trump administration looks to appoint the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) chairman, a16z Crypto policy lead Brian Quintenz emerged as the top contender. According to sources familiar with the matter, the Trump team has recently interviewed Quintenz for the top job at US CFTC.

Brian Quintenz Is the Top Choice for US CFTC Chair

As per a Bloomberg report, former Republican CFTC Commissioner Brian Quintenz was interviewed for the top position in the regulatory body. He is currently leading the crypto policy division at the digital asset wing of VC giant Andreessen Horowitz, a16z Crypto.

President-elect Donald Trump’s team has been actively conducting interviews for the US CFTC chair position, with an announcement likely in the coming days. Republican CFTC Commissioners Summer Mersinger and Caroline Pham have also been in the race for the same. Last month, reports suggested that Crypto Dad Chris Giancarlo could be the top boss at CFTC, however, he dispelled the rumors.

If chosen to lead CFTC, Brian Quintenz could bring a new perspective that bridges traditional finance (TradFi) and digital assets. During his previous tenure as CFTC Commissioner under the Donald Trump administration, Quintenz advocated for the agency to embrace innovative financial services, that included crypto derivatives and event contracts. In a crypto blog last month, co-authored with a16z, Quintenz shared his perspective on the election’s implications for the future of crypto. He wrote:

“While we’ll likely have greater flexibility to experiment, we can’t forget that the fundamental regulatory principles applicable to blockchain systems remain unchanged. There will still be valid scrutiny from regulators and policymakers of certain aspects of the industry irrespective of progress on new legislation or a re-calibrated regulatory environment”.

Since joining venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Quintenz has continued championing progressive regulatory approaches for these industries. Quintenz’s extensive experience positions him to navigate the agency through significant policy changes under the Biden administration.

Furthermore, recent reports suggest that the Donald Trump administration is considering giving US CFTC the oversight of the $3 trillion crypto market. The proposal focuses on digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum, classified as commodities under current law. If implemented, it would grant the CFTC authority to oversee spot markets and exchanges.

US Crypto Policy to Undergo Key Changes

Crypto market analysts hope for a major US crypto policy shift under the Trump administration, with Brian Quintenz as CFTC Chair expected to play a key role. The appointment of pro-crypto Paul Atkins as the next US SEC chair already hints at this possibility and a conducive environment for crypto innovation.

The crypto industry has been demanding clarity on crypto policy from the US Congress and regulators on which products and services fall under the jurisdiction of the US CFTC or the US SEC. During his election campaign, Donald Trump pledged to make America the Crypto Capital of the world.