Rostin Behnam, the head of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), is set to leave his role on January 20, ending a four-year term that emphasized enforcement in the cryptocurrency industry.
His tenure was marked by efforts to address gaps in digital asset regulations and high-profile cases, including a $4.3 billion settlement with Binance
Under Behnam's leadership, the CFTC also expanded its reach into digital assets and finalized federal guidelines for carbon offset trading.
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Brian Quintenz, a former CFTC commissioner and current policy lead at Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto division, a16z, is seen as the top choice to replace Behnam.
Quintenz’s previous work at the CFTC between 2017 and 2021 included overseeing key policy initiatives, which made him a strong candidate to address the regulatory challenges surrounding cryptocurrencies.
Behnam has repeatedly voiced concerns about the lack of clear oversight for cryptocurrencies in the US, which he describes as “insufficient”.
He noted that many areas within the digital asset market operate without regulatory protections, which creates risks for investors and markets.
Behnam emphasized the need for clear rules to address the growing adoption of cryptocurrencies while maintaining market integrity. He stressed the importance of legal clarity, urging his successor to focus on defining what is allowed and what is not in the crypto market.
Meanwhile, Federal Reserve's crypto critic Michael Barr announced his resignation in a January 6 letter to President Joe Biden. When will he step down? Read the full story.
