Winklevoss Twins Lobbied Trump to Block CFTC Nominee Brian Quintenz—Here’s Why It Matters

Crypto's most famous twins just played political hardball. The Winklevoss brothers reportedly pressured the Trump administration to ditch Brian Quintenz's CFTC nomination—a move that could've reshaped crypto regulation.

Behind the scenes: The twins' aggressive lobbying reveals how deeply crypto giants are willing to meddle in Washington's power games. No gentle HODLing here—just old-school political maneuvering with a blockchain twist.

Regulatory roulette: Quintenz's potential appointment had the crypto world divided. Some saw him as a pragmatic regulator; others feared he'd stifle innovation. Either way, the Winklevoss intervention proves one thing: in crypto, the real volatility is always in the regulatory landscape.

Closing jab: Because nothing says 'decentralized future' like billionaire twins whispering in politicians' ears—just how Satoshi drew it up.

White House Halts Vote on Quintenz Amid Industry Pressure

One key sticking point was his recent testimony backing a budget increase for the regulator to help oversee crypto markets, a move they seemed to view as bureaucratic, not transformational.

At the WHITE House’s request, the Senate Agriculture Committee abruptly canceled Monday’s vote on Quintenz’s nomination. However, despite the delay, a White House official later confirmed that Quintenz was still the administration’s choice.

Behind the scenes, senior administration officials are reportedly working to keep Quintenz in place.

The Winklevosses’ intervention is a sign of how assertively crypto executives are now engaging with Washington, particularly under Trump’s second term.

Trump’s Vision for ‘Crypto Capital’ Puts CFTC in the Spotlight

Since returning to office, Trump has doubled down on his ambition to make the US the “crypto capital of the world.” Just this week, the White House released a long-awaited policy report laying out recommendations to support the industry’s growth.

The CFTC has long been tied to agricultural commodities and financial derivatives. Now, under Trump’s crypto strategy, it is set to play a larger role. His administration plans to expand the agency’s authority, giving it direct oversight of crypto assets such as bitcoin and Ether.

Quintenz, who served on the CFTC during Trump’s first term, currently leads policy efforts at Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto fund and holds a board seat at Kalshi, a prediction market platform. His experience has made him a key figure in crypto regulation, but also opened him up to scrutiny.

Quintenz’s Kalshi Role Sparks Ethics Questions on Capitol Hill

Crypto world and Tyler Winklevoss are in an uproar over ‘concerning’ Quintenz email reveal https://t.co/vG2EGi4bUu pic.twitter.com/GgEkll5UQ6

On Thursday, the New York Post reported that emails from Quintenz surfaced on Capitol Hill this week. These reportedly show that during his nomination process, Quintenz’s associates sought information that could affect betting markets overseen by the CFTC.

The report raised further questions about his role on Kalshi’s board. Although Quintenz has pledged not to benefit from privileged access, critics point to his financial interest in a company regulated by the very agency he is set to lead.

It remains unclear whether the White House will continue to stand behind Quintenz or reopen the nomination.