Former Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Commissioner Brian Quintenz has been chosen by former President Donald Trump to head the federal commodities regulator. Quintenz, who previously served at the CFTC from 2017 to 2021, is currently the head of policy at Andreessen Horowitz’s (a16z) crypto division. His nomination marks a notable development in U.S. crypto policy, particularly as the CFTC stands to gain more authority over digital asset markets.

Quintenz’s tenure at the CFTC was marked by his advocacy for industry self-regulation and technology-driven oversight. During his time as commissioner, he chaired the Technology Advisory Committee and played a role in shaping the agency’s early regulatory stance on Bitcoin and Ethereum futures. Since leaving the agency, he has worked with a16z, advising on crypto policy and investments. His efforts contributed to a16z’s involvement with Fairshake, a political action committee focused on crypto-related policy, which reportedly invested nearly $140 million into the 2024 elections.

The selection was first reported by Punchbowl News and later confirmed by Coindesk. The White House has not yet issued an official statement on the nomination, though acting CFTC Chair Caroline Pham, cited by Crypto Briefing, publicly supported Quintenz, stating, “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.”

Industry and Legislative Reactions

The crypto industry has responded positively to Quintenz’s nomination. Miller Whitehouse-Levine, CEO of the DeFi Education Fund, emphasized Quintenz’s longstanding commitment to decentralized finance (DeFi), stating, “Brian has a long track record of supporting DeFi and advocating for sound policies that will enable DeFi developers and users to thrive in the United States.”

His return to the CFTC comes at a time when lawmakers are considering expanding the agency’s role in overseeing the crypto industry. The Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act, which passed in the House last year but stalled in the Senate, aimed to enhance the CFTC’s regulatory authority over digital assets. Former CFTC Chair Rostin Behnam had previously pushed for the agency to have more oversight of cryptocurrency markets, including spot Bitcoin transactions.

Broader Financial Regulatory Overhaul

Quintenz’s nomination is part of a larger effort by Trump and his allies to reshape financial regulation in the U.S. Alongside his selection, the White House has also put forward Jonathan McKernan as the new head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and Jonathan Gould as the Comptroller of the Currency. The nominations reflect a broader strategy to shift regulatory oversight away from Biden-era policies, which critics have argued imposed excessive restrictions on financial institutions.

Despite the industry support for Quintenz, Trump’s overall regulatory approach has sparked opposition. Senator Elizabeth Warren has criticized the administration’s efforts to curb the CFPB’s influence, arguing that “the question is not who the nominee is… the question is whether co-presidents Elon Musk and Donald Trump will let the CFPB continue its work as the cop on the financial beat or will they keep trying to illegally shut down the agency and let Wall Street cheat American families.”