Kraken, a16z execs in the running for CFTC chair role

President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team is eyeing crypto-friendly names to be the next chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), according to Fox Business reporter Eleanor Terrett.

Among those reportedly in contention are Summer Mersinger, a current CFTC Commissioner; Brian Quintenz, a16z crypto policy chief and former CFTC commissioner; and Marco Santori, Kraken’s chief legal officer.

The report cited two sources familiar with the discussions that have described Quintenz and Mersinger as “odds-on front-runners” for the role. 

Crypto-friendly contenders

Both reported front-runners bring significant experience and crypto policy credentials. 

Mersinger is considered a thought leader at the intersection of crypto innovation and consumer protection. She frequently speaks at industry events and has championed balanced regulation to foster growth in the sector.

Meanwhile, Quintenz has been a vocal advocate for a regulatory environment that accommodates crypto innovation, a stance honed during his tenure as a CFTC commissioner and his current role at a16z.

If selected, either candidate could steer the agency toward policies prioritizing clarity and innovation in the US crypto industry.

The CFTC oversees $500 trillion in trading volumes across currencies and financial derivatives and has long competed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory authority over crypto. 

Many in the sector prefer the CFTC as the primary regulator for crypto, citing its historically lighter regulatory touch.

Optimism under Trump

The Trump administration, which begins on Jan. 20, has signaled a marked departure from the current administration’s approach. During his campaign, Trump vowed to end the regulatory “crusade” against the crypto industry under the Biden administration.

This promise has already begun shaping key appointments, including the appointment of pro-crypto Paul Atkins to lead the SEC, Bitcoin (BTC) proponent Scott Bessent as the incoming Treasury Secretary, and innovation-friendly David Sacks as “crypto czar.”

While Mersinger and Quintenz lead the pack, several other names remain on the shortlist, including Caroline Pham, a Republican CFTC commissioner with a strong regulatory background; Neal Kumar and Josh Sterling, both of whom held senior roles at the CFTC and are considered regulatory experts.

The Trump transition team has reportedly vetted at least half a dozen candidates for the role, reflecting the administration’s focus on finding a leader who aligns with its vision for the crypto industry.

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