Brian Quintenz Out as CFTC Chair Pick After Crypto Industry Backlash
The White House has officially withdrawn Brian Quintenz’s nomination to chair the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), ending weeks of political wrangling over President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the influential markets regulator.
Quintenz, a former CFTC commissioner, was tapped by Trump earlier this year after he returned to office. Since leaving the CFTC, Quintenz has built a strong profile in the private sector, serving as global head of policy at venture capital powerhouse Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and advising firms such as prediction marketplace Kalshi.
In a statement to CoinDesk, Quintenz expressed gratitude despite the setback:
“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. I look forward to returning to my private sector endeavors during this exciting time for innovation in our country.”
A Contentious Nomination Process
Reports from Politico and Punchbowl News first revealed that the White House had pulled Quintenz’s nomination after delays and growing resistance. While Quintenz has long been seen as a crypto-friendly voice — even suggesting a self-regulatory model for the industry similar to FINRA in traditional securities — his nomination quickly drew opposition from unexpected quarters.
High-profile critics included Gemini co-founders Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, both of whom are vocal Trump supporters. Tyler Winklevoss told CoinDesk in July that Quintenz’s past work with Kalshi and his views on developers did not make him the right fit for the CFTC’s top job.
The conflict escalated when Quintenz disclosed private messages with the Winklevoss twins, implying their real concern was his unwillingness to publicly comment on an ongoing CFTC enforcement case against Gemini. In his messages, Quintenz argued that it would be inappropriate for a nominee to take a stance before being fully confirmed as chair.
Lobbying and Last-Minute Support
Despite opposition from some crypto insiders, Quintenz also received backing. Several digital asset lobbyist groups and companies rallied behind him, penning a public letter in late August urging the Senate to move his nomination forward.
Nevertheless, the White House repeatedly asked the Senate Agriculture Committee to postpone scheduled votes throughout July. By September, Semafor reported that the administration had already begun vetting alternative candidates to run the agency.
CFTC Leadership in Question
The timing of Quintenz’s withdrawal raises concerns about leadership at the CFTC. The agency is currently led by Acting Chair Caroline Pham, but all other commissioners who began the year have since departed. Pham herself has signaled that she may leave in the near future, creating additional uncertainty at a critical moment for U.S. financial oversight.
The vacancy comes as Congress debates new legislation that could expand the CFTC’s authority over cryptocurrency spot markets. However, progress on that bill may stall due to the looming threat of a government shutdown.
For now, the future of the CFTC’s leadership — and its role in shaping the regulatory framework for crypto — remains uncertain.
Update (Sept. 30, 2025, 23:48 UTC): This article was updated to clarify that Brian Quintenz joined Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) after his term as CFTC commissioner.
Ref: coindesk
