Trump’s CFTC Pick Exposes Tyler Winklevoss’ Alleged Backchannel Influence Campaign via Private Texts
Political drama meets crypto power plays as Trump's CFTC nominee drops bombshell allegations against Gemini co-founder Tyler Winklevoss.
Backroom Maneuvers Exposed
Private text messages reveal Winklevoss' alleged attempts to sway regulatory appointments—just as Gemini positions itself for a potential $3 billion valuation. The timing couldn't be more suspicious, or more perfectly corporate.
Regulatory Chess Game
While crypto exchanges chase billion-dollar valuations, they're simultaneously playing political chess with the very regulators meant to oversee them. Because nothing says 'decentralized revolution' like cozying up to political appointees.
Welcome to Washington—where the real blockchain is the trail of text messages between billionaires and bureaucrats.
Transparency claims
Winklevoss questioned why the CFTC sued Gemini rather than “parties that defrauded us of $10mil” or CBOE. He also questioned why the commission continued pursuing Gemini “after it knew its investigation was started based on a false whistleblower.”
Quintenz consistently refused to make specific commitments, stating that “any decision or response to your complaint should be made by and given the full weight of the confirmed chair.”
He committed only to addressing matters “fully and fairly if and when I am confirmed,” while emphasizing the importance of proper process.
Winklevoss then expressed disappointment that Quintenz hadn’t reviewed their complaint despite previous discussions.
Additionally, the Gemini co-founder stressed that “cultural reform, which includes rectifying what happened to us, should be the highest priority” and urged Quintenz to align with President Donald Trump’s mandate to end regulatory warfare.
Quintenz explained his approach of waiting for confirmation before forming judgments. He added that he decided “to wait until I can get into the role to get that view as opposed to trying to get it now through current leadership.”
He described having “a very poor experience with that on every important issue or decision so far” when dealing with existing commission staff.
The message release comes two days before Gemini’s planned IPO on Sept. 12.
Quintenz claimed that Winklevoss contacted TRUMP in an effort to pause his confirmation for undisclosed reasons following their exchange.
He added that he disclosed the discussions with Winklevoss to protect the President from misinformation and demonstrate his commitment to transparency over personal advancement.
