Trump’s CFTC Pick Quintenz to Divest $3.4M in Crypto Assets
- Trump’s CFTC pick Brian Quintenz discloses $3.4M in crypto-linked assets and vows to divest.
- CFTC faces major reshuffle as three commissioners prepare to exit by end of May.
Brian Quintenz, former commissioner at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has been nominated by Donald Trump to lead the agency. Ahead of his Senate confirmation, Quintenz has disclosed financial interests in several crypto and market prediction firms. He also laid out steps to avoid conflicts of interest if approved as CFTC chair.
Documents from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, published on May 25, reveal that Quintenz holds assets worth at least $3.4 million. These include stakes in multiple crypto-focused funds and market platforms. He confirmed that he will divest from these holdings within 90 days of Senate confirmation and will step down from all related roles.
Brian Quintenz Discloses Ties to Crypto Funds and Market Platforms
Quintenz currently serves as the global head of crypto policy at venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). He said he would resign from the role if confirmed. His interests include three AH Capital Management funds: CNK Fund III, CNK Seed 1 Fund, and CNK IV Fund, along with capital commitments to their associated general partners.
He also holds board membership and equity in Kalshi, a prediction market platform recently involved in a legal dispute with the CFTC over election betting. In addition, he has shares and stock options in Next Level Derivatives, a finance and brokerage firm. These ties intersect with two of the CFTC’s core areas: crypto regulation and prediction markets.
In a letter dated May 21 to CFTC Designated Agency Ethics Official John Einstman, Quintenz outlined his ethics commitments. He pledged not to participate in any CFTC matter in which he holds a direct and predictable financial interest. He also agreed to a two-year recusal from matters involving a16z and a one-year recusal from Kalshi-related matters. Unvested stock options in affected firms will also be forfeited.
CFTC Faces Shakeup as Top Commissioners Plan to Exit
Quintenz is being nominated during an essential change period in the CFTC. On May 21, Commissioner Kristin Johnson informed colleagues she plans to leave the agency later this year. Summer Mersinger and Christy Goldsmith Romero will be leaving their jobs as commissioners on May 30 and May 31, respectively.
The wave of departures has raised concerns over the Trump administration’s growing embrace of crypto policy. Quintenz’s nomination, coupled with his strong crypto background, signals a potential shift in regulatory direction at the CFTC. Until confirmed, he remains under Senate review. If approved, his appointment will mark a pivotal moment for the agency’s approach to crypto markets.
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Trump’s CFTC Pick Quintenz to Divest $3.4M in Crypto Assets
- Trump’s CFTC pick Brian Quintenz discloses $3.4M in crypto-linked assets and vows to divest.
- CFTC faces major reshuffle as three commissioners prepare to exit by end of May.
Brian Quintenz, former commissioner at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has been nominated by Donald Trump to lead the agency. Ahead of his Senate confirmation, Quintenz has disclosed financial interests in several crypto and market prediction firms. He also laid out steps to avoid conflicts of interest if approved as CFTC chair.
Documents from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, published on May 25, reveal that Quintenz holds assets worth at least $3.4 million. These include stakes in multiple crypto-focused funds and market platforms. He confirmed that he will divest from these holdings within 90 days of Senate confirmation and will step down from all related roles.
Brian Quintenz Discloses Ties to Crypto Funds and Market Platforms
Quintenz currently serves as the global head of crypto policy at venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). He said he would resign from the role if confirmed. His interests include three AH Capital Management funds: CNK Fund III, CNK Seed 1 Fund, and CNK IV Fund, along with capital commitments to their associated general partners.
He also holds board membership and equity in Kalshi, a prediction market platform recently involved in a legal dispute with the CFTC over election betting. In addition, he has shares and stock options in Next Level Derivatives, a finance and brokerage firm. These ties intersect with two of the CFTC’s core areas: crypto regulation and prediction markets.
In a letter dated May 21 to CFTC Designated Agency Ethics Official John Einstman, Quintenz outlined his ethics commitments. He pledged not to participate in any CFTC matter in which he holds a direct and predictable financial interest. He also agreed to a two-year recusal from matters involving a16z and a one-year recusal from Kalshi-related matters. Unvested stock options in affected firms will also be forfeited.
CFTC Faces Shakeup as Top Commissioners Plan to Exit
Quintenz is being nominated during an essential change period in the CFTC. On May 21, Commissioner Kristin Johnson informed colleagues she plans to leave the agency later this year. Summer Mersinger and Christy Goldsmith Romero will be leaving their jobs as commissioners on May 30 and May 31, respectively.
The wave of departures has raised concerns over the Trump administration’s growing embrace of crypto policy. Quintenz’s nomination, coupled with his strong crypto background, signals a potential shift in regulatory direction at the CFTC. Until confirmed, he remains under Senate review. If approved, his appointment will mark a pivotal moment for the agency’s approach to crypto markets.
Highlighted Crypto News Today:
Read More