CFTC Chair Initiates CEO Council To Shape Crypto Regulations And Market Structure

On Tuesday, Acting Chair Caroline Pham of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced a significant initiative aimed at enhancing guidance on crypto regulation. This initiative involves seeking nominations for the newly formed CFTC CEO Innovation Council, with a submission deadline set for December 8. 

During her prepared remarks, Pham emphasized that the council would help the agency effectively prepare for impending regulations as the Senate gears up to consider a new crypto market structure bill.

Key Priorities For CFTC’s Crypto Regulation Efforts

Under Pham’s guidance, the CFTC has made substantial strides in innovation and market structure. This includes initiatives such as the Crypto CEO Forum, the exploration of prediction markets, perpetual contracts, and the concept of 24/7 trading. 

Notably, the CFTC’s Crypto Sprint initiative, aiming to implement the recommendations from President Donald Trump’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets, is projected to continue until August 2026. 

Phạm outlined key priorities for the initiative, including enabling listed spot crypto trading on designated contract markets (DCMs), facilitating the use of tokenized collateral within derivatives markets, and proposing necessary technical amendments to CFTC regulations to accommodate blockchain and tokenization. 

Pham expressed optimism that the CFTC would implement listed spot crypto trading on DCMs by the end of this year, with guidance regarding tokenized collateral expected by early 2026.

“The US is leading a new era in market structure, and the CFTC is at the forefront of this renaissance accelerated by innovation and technology,” Pham remarked. 

She stressed the importance of engaging with industry leaders and visionaries to shape responsible regulations that will lay the groundwork for what she described as America’s “Golden Age of Innovation.”

Pham’s Tenure Nears End

Last week, Pham discussed the CFTC’s ongoing progress at an industry conference focused on futures and options, where she detailed the agency’s regulatory approach to digital assets. 

Drawing parallels to past developments in the financial markets, she mentioned that blockchain technology and tokenization are ushering in a “structural modernization” of market infrastructure.

In addition, Pham pointed to increased collaboration between the CFTC and the SEC, citing a recent joint roundtable focused on regulatory harmonization. 

She highlighted congressional efforts such as the CLARITY Act and the GENIUS Act, both of which aim to create a comprehensive federal framework for digital assets and stablecoins.

As the CFTC anticipates future developments, Pham’s tenure as acting chair is approaching its conclusion. Last week, US senators questioned Michael Selig, President Trump’s nominee to lead the agency, regarding his plans for revamping cryptocurrency regulations and addressing election betting. 

As reported by Reuters, Selig advocated for “clear, simple guidelines” for the crypto sector, emphasizing the opportunity to establish a framework that supports software developers and emerging exchanges, while ensuring investor protections.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com