CFTC Commissioner Pham Urges Top CEOs to Join Groundbreaking Crypto Innovation Council
Regulatory winds shift as CFTC's Caroline Pham makes unprecedented call to corporate leadership
The Crypto Frontier Expands
In a move that signals growing institutional acceptance, Commodity Futures Trading Commission Commissioner Caroline Pham is personally reaching out to Fortune 500 CEOs, urging them to join a newly formed digital asset innovation council. This marks one of the most direct regulatory overtures to traditional finance leadership in crypto history.
Building Bridges or Regulatory Capture?
The council aims to create formal channels between legacy financial institutions and emerging blockchain technologies—potentially accelerating mainstream adoption while giving established players front-row seats to shape the regulatory landscape. Some critics whisper this looks suspiciously like the usual 'if you can't beat them, join them and then regulate them into submission' Wall Street playbook.
Wall Street's Crypto Awakening
Major financial institutions that once dismissed digital assets now scramble for seats at the table, recognizing blockchain's potential to disrupt everything from settlement systems to international payments. The council represents a strategic pivot from cautious observation to active participation in shaping crypto's future.
Because nothing says innovation like forming a committee—except maybe charging 2% management fees on digital assets that were supposed to democratize finance.
The CFTC encourages public participation in shaping digital assets laws
The CFTC has recently confirmed that it is prepared to assume additional responsibility in overseeing cryptocurrency. This is due to bills in both the House and Senate that WOULD grant the federal regulatory agency more authority over digital assets.
However, the agency did not disclose when these legislative changes will take place. This situation remains unclear, as progress has slowed and previous deadlines have been missed.
Meanwhile, as individuals await the implementation of these new laws, reports from reliable sources indicate that the commission has initiated a “Crypto Sprint” to clarify regulations surrounding cryptocurrency. The CFTC is also planning to launch spot trading products that may include options allowing for leverage.
In a statement, Pham emphasized that the CFTC must encourage public participation, backed by experienced industry leaders and forward-thinkers who play a significant role in shaping the future, to get started effectively.
“That is why today I am calling upon CEOs to join us in shaping responsible regulations that will lay the foundation for America’s Golden Age of Innovation.”
Pham’s announcement also outlined the steps for individuals to follow while sending in nominations, which were required to be emailed to [email protected].
Notably, Pham is the only available commissioner at the CFTC at the moment. She stated that she will resign once a new chair is appointed. The Senate, on the other hand, is progressing with the US President Donald Trump’s selection, Michael Selig, to lead the federal agency and is currently awaiting a full vote from the Senate.
The CFTC seeks to embrace leveraged spot crypto trading in the ecosystem
Pham earlier confirmed that the CFTC was engaged in talks with regulated exchanges to begin spot crypto trading, including Leveraged options, as soon as next month.
This was after she shared an X post dated Sunday, November 9, saying “True” in response to reports that leaked leveraged spot crypto trading information. This move takes place, although a federal government shutdown slowed down other crypto policy efforts.
Regarding this newly adapted crypto policy effort, reports from sources disclosed that Pham had been discussing with CFTC-regulated designated contract markets (DCMs) exchanges, which include major financial companies such as CME, Cboe Futures Exchange, and ICE Futures, as well as crypto-focused firms like Coinbase Derivatives and prediction markets Kalshi and Polymarket US.
At this point, the commission was considering launching spot crypto trading products that involve margin, leverage, and financing.
Pham told reporters, “As we continue working with Congress to bring clear laws to these markets, we are also using our current powers to quickly implement recommendations from the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets report.”
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