CFTC nominee Brian Quintenz is lobbying crypto industry leaders for support

President Donald Trump’s nominee for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) top seat, Brian Quintenz, saw a vote at the US Senate to greenlight his appointment delayed in July 28. He has now turned to the crypto industry for backing as his Senate confirmation process stalls, according to people familiar with the matter.

Quintenz was nominated for the chairman position in February this year, but his Senate Agriculture Committee vote was abruptly called off after the White House requested a delay in the voting process. With the Senate now in recess, no progress is expected until September at the earliest.

FOX News correspondent Eleanor Terrett reported Tuesday that he has met with industry leaders, citing three people with knowledge of the matter.

Trade institutions write plea to the White House 

According to Terrett’s sources, Trade associations, including the Chamber of Digital Commerce, the Blockchain Association, the Crypto Council for Innovation, and the DeFi Education Fun,d are preparing to send a letter to President Trump asking for Quintenz’s vote to move forward. 

🚨SCOOP: @CFTC nominee @BrianQuintenz has been reaching out to members of the crypto industry for meetings as his nomination remains in limbo, according to three people familiar with the matter. The outreach comes as the White House has stayed silent since pausing his…

— Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) August 20, 2025

“Each of our organizations has had the privilege of knowing and working with Mr. Quintenz firsthand, and we can attest to his deep expertise, sound judgment, proven leadership, and integrity,” the draft letter says.

Despite outside endorsements, documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request have raised internal queries at the CFTC. A 166-page release includes emails in which staff members mentioned conflicts regarding potential hires sought by Quintenz’s presumptive chief of staff, Kevin Webb. 

One email alleges Webb wanted to bring back staff previously cut under “reduction in force” measures.

Those concerns have fueled speculation that Quintenz could expand the agency’s staff and budget, a move some say clashes with the Trump administration’s efforts to shrink government operations and cut costs.

Quintenz faces industry and political opposition

Even though some industry KOLs believe the former CFTC member is the right man for the job, not all voices are behind his appointment. Bloomberg reported that ahead of the postponed vote, Gemini co-founder Tyler Winklevoss privately urged the White House to delay the nomination, according to people familiar with the matter who requested anonymity.

Kalshi, the prediction market where Quintenz currently serves as a board member, has been pushing to expand into sports betting. This has compelled Congress to discuss whether there would be a conflict of interest letting Quintenz lead the CFTC. That said, he promised to resign from his role at Kalshi if confirmed.

Tribal groups, the American Gaming Association, casino lobbyists and the National Council on Problem Gambling submitted a letter to the Senate before the scheduled committee vote, arguing that prediction markets were being used “as a loophole to evade state gambling regulations.”

Quintenz served as a CFTC commissioner from 2017 to 2021 after being nominated by Presidents Obama and Trump, winning unanimous Senate approval. During that time, he chaired the Technology Advisory Committee, which organized the agency’s public discussions on crypto and blockchain technology.

It was under his watch that the United States began regulating Bitcoin and Ether futures contracts. He also advocated for the government to balance its oversight and support on digital assets between the CFTC and the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

White House spokeswoman Liz Huston said the administration stands behind Quintenz. “He will help execute President Trump’s mission of making America the crypto capital of the world and we look forward to his swift confirmation,” she said in a statement.

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