White House Reconsiders Brian Quintenz for CFTC Chair Position

Decision Against Brian Quintenz’s Appointment

The White House has opted not to proceed with appointing Brian Quintenz, a former member of Kalshi and supporter of cryptocurrencies, as the next head of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). This reversal was initially reported by Politico and later confirmed by official sources within the White House.

Initial Consideration and Challenges

Brian Quintenz was once considered the leading candidate for the CFTC chairmanship. However, the confirmation process experienced delays due to concerns arising from certain emails connected to his nomination. Additionally, challenges from notable figures in the cryptocurrency industry, including the founders of the Gemini exchange, influenced the situation. The Winklevoss twins, Tyler and Cameron, who have significant standing in the crypto community, publicly opposed Quintenz’s appointment and called on then-President Donald Trump to reevaluate the nomination.

Ultimately, despite early momentum, Quintenz’s nomination was withdrawn. Reflecting on the experience, Quintenz stated that being nominated was an honor in itself and mentioned that he plans to return to work in the private sector.

Next Steps and Potential Candidates

The decision to move away from Quintenz’s nomination was welcomed by Representative Dina Titus of Nevada, who expressed concerns over his previous connections with Kalshi. She stressed the importance of having strong and independent leadership at the CFTC to ensure proper oversight and enforcement of regulations.

With Quintenz no longer in contention, the White House must identify a new nominee to lead the CFTC. According to sources cited by Politico, several individuals are being considered, including:

• Mike Selig, chief counsel for the Securities and Exchange Commission’s crypto task force
• Tyler Williams, a cryptocurrency advisor to the Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
• Josh Sterling, a former CFTC official
• Jill Sommers, a former commissioner of the CFTC

Those named have either declined to comment or have not responded to inquiries regarding the potential nominations.