In a move that could redefine the future of crypto regulation, former CFTC commissioner Brian Quintenz has been tapped by Donald Trump to helm the agency overseeing the U.S. derivatives market. If confirmed, Quintenz would replace acting Chair Caroline Pham, succeeding former Chair Rostin Behnam.
Crypto Insider Returns to CFTC
Quintenz, a Republican who served at the CFTC during Trump’s first administration, has spent the past several years embedded in the crypto sector. After leaving the agency in 2021, he took a senior advisory role at a16z’s crypto division before being elevated to head of policy in late 2022. Now, he’s poised to return—not as an industry advocate, but as the regulator in charge.
Congress was formally notified of the nomination Tuesday, though Trump himself had yet to acknowledge it on Truth Social at the time of publication.
A16z’s Influence in Washington
The selection of Quintenz underscores the growing sway of venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) in Washington, particularly as the crypto industry seeks regulatory clarity. The firm funneled $67 million into the pro-crypto PAC Fairshake during the 2024 election cycle, cementing its role as a major political force.
