The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has hired one of the SEC’s top crypto specialists as the agency continues building out its digital asset expertise.

Donald Battle will join the CFTC as Chief Data Innovation Officer and serve as a member of the agency’s Innovation Task Force, according to an announcement by Chairman Michael Selig.

Battle arrives from the Securities and Exchange Commission, where he most recently served as a senior advisor on the SEC’s Crypto Task Force while also working within the agency’s Data Science Group. Before that, he worked at the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, focusing on virtual currency enforcement and anti money laundering investigations.

Chairman Selig highlighted Battle’s background in blockchain forensics, data science, programming interfaces, and artificial intelligence, describing those skills as important as the agency adapts to new technologies and market structures.

The hire comes as the CFTC continues to expand its focus on digital assets. The agency launched its Innovation Task Force earlier this year to develop policy around crypto assets, blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, and other emerging areas of financial markets.

Battle’s appointment also strengthens the connection between the CFTC and SEC at a time when both agencies are playing larger roles in shaping US digital asset policy. Having worked directly on the SEC’s crypto efforts, Battle brings experience in both enforcement and regulatory analysis.

His background is particularly relevant to blockchain investigations. At both the SEC and FinCEN, Battle worked on analyzing large datasets, tracing digital asset activity, and supporting investigations involving novel technologies.

The appointment signals that the CFTC is continuing to invest in internal technical capabilities rather than relying exclusively on outside analytics providers. Blockchain forensics and AI driven surveillance tools are becoming increasingly important as regulators monitor trading activity across digital asset markets.

The move also reflects Chairman Selig’s broader effort to build out senior leadership at the agency. Since taking over as chairman, Selig has emphasized innovation, digital assets, and modernizing the CFTC’s approach to emerging technologies.