Brian Quintenz, Head of Policy at Andreessen Horowitz’s (a16z) crypto division and a fierce champion for crypto innovation, has been nominated by Donald Trump to lead the CFTC.
Trump Nominates Crypto Advocate to Lead CFTC, Backed by Industry Leaders
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Trump’s CFTC Pick Brian Quintenz Praised for Pro- Crypto Stance and Regulatory Vision
Brian Quintenz announced on social media platform X on Feb. 12 that he has been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the next chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Expressing his enthusiasm for the opportunity, Quintenz wrote: “It is my great honor to be nominated by President Donald Trump as the next Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, where I had served as a Commissioner in his last administration. The CFTC plays a critical role in maintaining robust hedging and price discovery markets that are the envy of the globe.” He added:
The agency is also well poised to ensure the USA leads the world in blockchain technology and innovation. I look forward to working with President Trump’s incredible financial regulatory team.
Quintenz has been a prominent advocate for cryptocurrency regulation, leveraging his experience as a former Commissioner of the CFTC and his role as Head of Policy at Andreessen Horowitz’s (a16z) crypto division. During his tenure at the CFTC from 2017 to 2021, Quintenz oversaw the introduction of regulated bitcoin and ether futures contracts and chaired the Technology Advisory Committee, facilitating comprehensive discussions on crypto-related policies.
The nomination has received praise from figures in the financial and cryptocurrency industries. Attorney Jeremy Hogan underscored the significance of the CFTC’s leadership in shaping the future of crypto regulation, stating: “The head of the CFTC will, eventually, likely be more important to the crypto space than the head of the SEC. And Brian Quintenz is a solid ‘A!’ Maybe an A+, but I never gave A+s when I was teaching, either.” Former CFTC Chairman Chris Giancarlo congratulated Quintenz on his selection, saying he will “serve as captain and lead pilot CFTC making America’s flight path for economic risk transfer both safer, broader and more innovative and dynamic.”
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse also weighed in, recognizing the importance of the CFTC in strengthening U.S. capital markets and endorsing Quintenz’s appointment. The Ripple executive wrote on X:
The CFTC plays a vital role in making sure the U.S. has the most robust capital markets in the world.
