Trump taps a16z’s crypto policy chief Brian Quintenz to lead CFTC

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President Donald Trump has picked Brian Quintenz, the current Head of Policy at a16z crypto, to lead the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, according to a White House document shared by Unchained.

The nomination has been verified by Bloomberg and FOX Business journalist Eleanor Terrett.” Although there has been no official statement from the White House, CFTC officials have confirmed the move, said the journalist.

“I congratulate my friend Brian Quintenz on his selection for CFTC Chairman. I worked with Brian on important initiatives that he led to success when he was a CFTC Commissioner. He will do the same for crypto and innovation. I look forward to supporting Brian and his leadership at the CFTC,” said Acting CFTC Chair Caroline Pham in a statement shared by Terrett.

Quintenz previously served as a Republican commissioner at the CFTC during both the Trump and Biden administrations, where he oversaw the implementation of the first fully-regulated Bitcoin and Ethereum futures contracts. In his current role, he advises a16z on crypto policy and investments.

According to a December report from Bloomberg, Quintenz worked with the Trump transition team on crypto policy matters ahead of Trump’s inauguration, collaborating with David Sacks, Trump’s designated AI and Crypto Czar. His candidacy has received support from a16z co-founders Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz.

The White House document also revealed Trump’s plans to nominate Jonathan Gould as Comptroller of the Currency and Jonathan McKernan as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

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