Trump’s CFTC Nominee Brian Quintenz Flaunts Crypto Holdings—Regulatory Capture or Just Business as Usual?

Another day, another regulator with skin in the game. Brian Quintenz—Trump’s pick to lead the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)—just disclosed millions in assets, including eyebrow-raising crypto ties. Because nothing says ’public service’ like a side hustle in volatile digital assets.

Wall Street’s revolving door spins faster than a Bitcoin miner’s GPU. Quintenz’s portfolio reads like a crypto bull’s shopping list, sparking questions about conflicts of interest. But hey, in Washington, blurred lines between regulators and the industries they oversee aren’t bugs—they’re features.

Pro tip for aspiring bureaucrats: Want to oversee crypto markets? First, stack some Satoshis. The system works—if you’re already rich.

Trump’s CFTC Nominee Holds Stakes in Crypto Funds and Prediction Markets

Quintenz’s portfolio includes interests in three AH Capital funds, as well as equity in prediction markets firm Kalshi and derivatives brokerage Next Level Derivatives.

Both firms fall squarely within CFTC’s regulatory scope, suggesting potential conflicts if he assumes the chairmanship.

Quintenz’s ties to Kalshi are particularly notable, given the company’s recent legal clash with the CFTC over election markets.

In a letter to the agency’s Designated Ethics Official, he pledged to recuse himself from any matters involving Kalshi for a year and a16z-related issues for two years.

He also committed to resigning from all corporate roles and divesting conflicting assets within 90 days of Senate confirmation.

Additionally, he will forfeit unvested equity options and seek ongoing ethics guidance, while retaining unpaid trustee duties for two family trusts.

Thank you Coach / @SenTuberville! The pleasure was entirely mine, and thank you for your continued advocacy of US derivative markets. https://t.co/FrHNbuRJDj

These disclosures come as the CFTC enters a transitional phase. Three of its four commissioners — Kristin Johnson, Summer Mersinger, and Christy Goldsmith Romero — are all stepping down by the end of May, giving TRUMP the opportunity to reshape the regulator’s leadership.

Quintenz’s nomination signals a continued pivot by the Trump administration toward more crypto-friendly leadership at key financial agencies.

His record and professional affiliations are expected to face close examination during the Senate confirmation process, especially as lawmakers wrestle with defining the CFTC’s jurisdiction over digital assets.

CFTC Set to Approve Crypto Perpetual Futures

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is poised to approve crypto perpetual futures trading in the United States, according to outgoing commissioner Summer Mersinger.

Speaking with Bloomberg, she said the agency has already received applications and that such products could go live “very soon,” marking a significant step in bringing crypto derivatives back onshore.

Mersinger emphasized the importance of offering these products under U.S. regulation, suggesting it WOULD boost market integrity and benefit both the crypto industry and the wider economy.

She also noted that the rising adoption of crypto assets in the U.S. signals their staying power.

Perpetual futures are a FORM of derivatives allowing traders to speculate on crypto prices without expiration.

Mersinger’s departure from the CFTC is timely, as she transitions to a new role at the Blockchain Association, where she aims to contribute to upcoming stablecoin and market structure legislation.