White House Withdraws Quintenz’s Nomination as CFTC Chair, a Setback for Crypto Policy

The White House has withdrawn Brian Quintenz's nomination to chair the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), dealing a blow to the crypto industry. Quintenz, currently Global Head of Policy at a16z Crypto and a former CFTC Commissioner, was widely seen as a favorable candidate for the role.

Industry leaders express disappointment, citing Quintenz's DEEP expertise and principled leadership as missed opportunities for the CFTC. The withdrawal also prolongs the agency's operational challenges, with eight months already lost without a fully staffed leadership team.

Market participants urge swift action to appoint a new nominee, emphasizing the need to advance key crypto priorities including prediction markets and perpetual contracts. The delay comes at a critical juncture for regulatory clarity in digital assets.