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Donald Trump’s Top 6 Picks for CFTC Chair After Rostin Behnam’s Exit
January 9, 2025 – In a sudden move, Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Rostin Behnam has announced his resignation. This news has sent shockwaves through the crypto community, as the regulatory agency is set to play a crucial role in shaping the future of digital assets.
The Trump transition team has reportedly shortlisted at least six candidates to succeed Behnam, and we’ve got the scoop on who’s in contention. According to sources close to the matter, these candidates include:
1. Summer Mersinger – A CFTC Commissioner known for her emphasis on balancing innovation with consumer protection. Her dissenting opinions on several CFTC enforcement actions against decentralized finance (DeFi) companies have earned her widespread respect within the crypto community.
2. Brian Quintenz – Currently in charge of crypto policy at Andreessen Horowitz’s a16z fund, Quintenz has built strong relationships with both industry stakeholders and government agencies during his previous tenure as a Trump-appointed commissioner. He has been vocal about the need for proactive collaboration to establish clear regulatory frameworks for digital assets.
3. Marco Santori – A former chief legal officer for Kraken, Santori brings extensive experience in the cryptocurrency space. His expertise could be invaluable in shaping the CFTC’s stance on regulating the trillion-dollar industry.
4. Caroline Pham – As a Republican Commissioner, Pham is expected to take a more lenient approach to crypto regulations. Her tenure has been marked by her vocal criticism of the SEC’s enforcement-heavy agenda under Gary Gensler.
5. Neal Kumar – Details about his background and qualifications are still scarce, but it seems Trump’s team believes he could be an excellent candidate for the role due to his unknown qualities.
6. Josh Sterling – Unfortunately, there is limited information available regarding this individual at present.
Following Behnam’s exit, Trump has made it clear that he wants a pro-crypto chairperson to take over the agency. The appointment would have significant implications for the global crypto market.
Source: www.cryptonewsz.com
