CFTC innovation committee expands crypto policy outlook

With Washington intensifying its focus on digital assets, the CFTC innovation committee is emerging as a central venue for industry input on future market rules.

CFTC unveils 35-member Innovation Advisory Committee

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission on Thursday released the full roster of its new Innovation Advisory Committee, confirming a 35-member panel that includes 20 executives tied directly to crypto companies. The group will advise on how emerging technology is reshaping financial markets.

CFTC chair Mike Selig said the committee will “ensure the CFTC’s decisions reflect market realities” as the agency develops rules for novel products and platforms. The panel initially launched in January with 12 charter members before expanding to the final 35-member lineup, signaling a broader consultation effort.

The new body formally replaces the CFTC’s Technology Advisory Committee, which previously focused on how innovations affected derivatives markets in general. Now, however, the revamped structure will zero in on commercial and economic implications of specific business models, including those tied to digital assets.

Crypto exchange and blockchain leaders dominate the lineup

Selig has signaled that the CFTC will take a more receptive stance toward crypto under his leadership. Moreover, the agency has begun coordinating more closely with the Securities and Exchange Commission on digital asset policy as crypto regulation gains urgency.

Executives from major crypto exchanges hold several of the most prominent seats. Appointees include Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, Gemini CEO Tyler Winklevoss, Crypto.com CEO Kris Marszalek, and representatives from Kraken, underscoring the CFTC’s focus on trading platforms.

Leaders from blockchain and protocol companies also feature heavily. The committee includes Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, Solana Labs CEO Anatoly Yakovenko, and Uniswap CEO Hayden Adams, reflecting the regulator’s interest in both layer-1 and decentralized exchange ecosystems.

Venture capital and prediction markets gain a voice

Crypto venture capital firms secured structured crypto venture capital representation on the panel, highlighting the CFTC’s interest in early-stage innovation flows. Notable members include a16z Crypto partner Chris Dixon, Framework Ventures co-founder Vance Spencer, and Paradigm representative Alana Palmedo.

Prediction market companies also won influential seats as regulators examine that sector more closely. Appointees include Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan and Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour, placing two of the most closely watched platforms directly at the advisory table.

At least five members of the committee are involved in prediction markets, a sign of growing prediction market regulation interest at the agency. That said, the panel is not limited to crypto-native entities, even if they now represent a large share of its membership.

Traditional finance and market infrastructure represented

The roster extends beyond digital asset specialists to include mainstream trading and custody players. Other high-profile appointees include Robinhood CEO Vladimir Tenev, Grayscale CEO Peter Mintzberg, Blockchain.com CEO Peter Smith, and Anchorage Digital CEO Nathan McCauley.

Moreover, the committee draws in executives from large market operators and clearing houses. Representatives from Nasdaq, Intercontinental Exchange, Cboe Global Markets, and CME Group were appointed, ensuring substantial traditional finance participants cftc are present alongside crypto leaders.

CFTC chair Selig stressed that the panel brings together stakeholders from “every corner of the marketplace.” Traditional market infrastructure providers such as DTCC and the Options Clearing Corporation also have representatives, anchoring the discussion in long-established risk management practices.

Mandate, scope, and link to Project Crypto

The cftc innovation committee is tasked with advising on commercial and economic considerations of emerging products, platforms, and business models. It will examine how new technologies intersect with market integrity, customer protection, and fair competition across derivatives and spot markets.

The CFTC noted it will seek input not only from industry, but also from other regulatory bodies and academia. Public interest groups will be consulted as policies are shaped, which could broaden the debate beyond purely commercial priorities and strengthen legitimacy.

The committee’s formation coincides with the CFTC and SEC’s joint “Project Crypto” initiative. This coordination effort aims to modernize digital asset oversight across both agencies, and it could influence how token markets, exchanges, and related financial products are supervised in the coming years.

Future direction for US crypto and derivatives oversight

Selig described the launch of the committee as “an important and energizing moment at the CFTC.” He argued the panel will help the agency “future-proof its markets” by engaging directly with innovators while maintaining core regulatory safeguards.

In practice, the committee’s work is likely to shape how the CFTC approaches issues ranging from derivatives on crypto assets to oversight of new trading venues. However, much will depend on how diverse interests on the panel reconcile innovation with investor protection and market stability.

Overall, the expanded committee structure signals that US derivatives regulators are moving toward a more systematic dialogue with both crypto-native firms and established financial institutions, as digital assets continue to converge with traditional markets.