- White House confirmed Brian Quintenz is no longer in consideration for CFTC chair nomination.
- Nomination stalled amid lobbying disputes, ethics concerns, and pressure from industry stakeholders.
- CFTC leadership remains uncertain with Caroline Pham as acting chair while new candidates are reviewed.
The White House confirmed on Sept. 30 that Brian Quintenz is no longer being considered as chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. A new nominee will be announced soon, leaving the derivatives regulator under acting leadership at a critical moment for crypto oversight.
Nomination Stalled by Disputes and Delays
Quintenz, who serves as global policy head at a16z crypto, was nominated in February 2025 to lead the CFTC. His background as a former commissioner and strong industry ties had positioned him as a pro-crypto candidate.
The nomination advanced through hearings in June but stalled the following month when the administration asked the Senate Agriculture Committee to postpone a scheduled vote. According to Politico and Bloomberg, the delay followed concerns raised by Gemini co-founder Tyler Winklevoss, a Trump supporter, about ongoing CFTC enforcement against Gemini.
In September, Quintenz released private messages with Winklevoss, accusing him of lobbying against the nomination. Tribal groups, gaming lobbies, and ethics watchdogs had also raised questions about his past roles, including work with prediction market Kalshi. As the process dragged on, the White House began considering alternatives.
Next Steps for the CFTC Chair Role
Quintenz issued a statement saying, “Being nominated to chair the CFTC and going through the confirmation process was the honor of my life. I am grateful to the President for that opportunity and to the Senate Agriculture Committee for its consideration.” He said he will return to the private sector.
A White House official confirmed the withdrawal and said the administration still plans to work with Quintenz in other roles. The official noted that Trump remains committed to positioning the CFTC at the center of U.S. crypto regulation.
Potential replacements include former commissioner Jill Sommers, SEC counsel Mike Selig, and former CFTC official Josh Sterling. With only acting chair Caroline Pham in place, the CFTC faces leadership uncertainty as Congress prepares to expand its authority over digital assets.
