CFTC seeks public comment on derivatives markets for AI compute

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is seeking public comment on the development and oversight of derivatives markets tied to computing power as demand for AI infrastructure continues to grow.

The request is aimed at helping the agency better understand compute markets and establish a regulatory framework for derivatives linked to the resource.

“America cannot win the AI race without a robust derivatives market for compute,” CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig said Wednesday.

Selig said US derivatives markets could play a similar role for compute as commodity markets have historically played for resources that powered the industrial economy.

The CFTC is seeking feedback on the size and liquidity of compute cash markets, market oversight, potential manipulation risks, customer protections, and perpetual compute futures.

The agency is also inviting comments on other aspects of compute markets as it evaluates how derivatives tied to computing resources should be regulated.

Comments will be accepted for 60 days following publication of the request in the Federal Register.