Donald Trump, the president-elect, is reportedly looking at Brian Quintenz. Quintenz was formerly a commissioner of Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Quintenz, who is currently the head of policy for Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto division and has been a leading candidate among other candidates, was cited as a source in Bloomberg's report.
The announcement for the Chair position is likely to be announced in the days ahead following the end of the interview process.
Other candidates reportedly included current CFTC Commissions Summer Mersinger (current CFTC Chairperson) and Caroline Pham as well as Joshua Sterling, and Neel Kumar.
Quintenz, if selected, would have a vast amount of experience in both the private and public sectors.
During the tenure of his position at the CFTC he managed the launch and regulation of Bitcoin and Ethereum Futures Contracts, as well as promoting discussions about decentralized finance.
Quintenz’s commitment to innovation complements Trumps’ apparent emphasis on cultivating a supportive climate for the crypto-industry, which played an important role in 2024’s elections.
Fairshake, the political action committee of Andreessen Horowitz, donated 25 million dollars and 23 million dollars, respectively, in support of crypto-friendly political candidates.
Quintenz, who joined a16z Crypto in 2017, has been a vocal advocate of crypto-friendly policy, advocating for regulation tailored for blockchain technology.
He has criticised the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s approach, stating that it is overly restricting. “fit for purpose” Realizing its potential
“I think what the crypto ecosystem wants is rules that fit its technology, that are fit for purpose, that allow for the innovation to actually reach its full potential,” Quintenz, in an 2022 interview said Decrypt. “You’re not getting that out of the SEC.”
It’s important that the CFTC Chair is in place, because the agency will be expected to take on major policy changes.
Quintenz will be responsible for a regulatory landscape that is ready to change if she’s confirmed.
Stacy Elliott is the editor.