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CFTC’s Acting Chief Caroline Pham Heads to Crypto Firm as Chief Legal Officer: Report

Thursday, 18/12/2025 | 19:01 GMT by Jared Kirui
  • Michael Selig, who has extensive experience in crypto policy, was nominated by Trump as the permanent CFTC chairman.
  • Pham faced controversy over the My Forex Funds case, where she criticized alleged misconduct by CFTC staff; the case was later dismissed.
Caroline Pham, Acting Chair of the US CFTC , Source: X
Caroline Pham, Acting Chair of the US CFTC , Source: X

Crypto payments firm MoonPay confirmed that Caroline D. Pham, the acting Chair of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), will join the firm as Chief Legal Officer after she finishes her term at the derivatives regulator.

Her move comes as the CFTC faces a leadership transition and grapples with how far and how fast to stretch its reach over crypto markets.​

Pham’s Next Role at MoonPay

MoonPay said Pham will step in as chief legal officer, with the company also describing her remit as including chief administrative responsibilities and oversight of global legal and administrative functions.

She will lead MoonPay’s policy and regulatory strategy from Washington, underscoring the firm’s push to shape US rules governing crypto payments and on‑ramps that convert fiat currencies into digital assets.

In a recent social media post, Pham commented about the leadership changes at the agency, saying: “I’m looking forward to a successful confirmation of Mike Selig as the CFTC’s next chairman and a smooth transition once he is sworn in. The future is bright. Onward and upward.”

From CFTC Acting Chair to Private Sector

Pham took over as acting chairman of the CFTC in January after President Donald Trump appointed her to lead the agency on an interim basis.

During her tenure, the derivatives watchdog oversaw a pick‑up in activity around prediction markets, explored pathways for offshore crypto firms to return to the US, and signaled a more assertive enforcement push through what staff described as an “enforcement sprint” targeting firms in its sights.

The Handling of My Forex Funds Case

However, her leadership was not without controversy. Last year, Pham issued a statement urging swift action over alleged misconduct by CFTC staff in an enforcement case that involved Traders Global Group Inc., the operator of prop trading firm My Forex Funds.

A judge later threw out the commission’s complaint with prejudice against My Forex Funds operator. The court also granted a motion imposing sanctions on the regulator.

Trump has nominated Michael Selig, a lawyer with deep crypto policy experience, to serve as permanent CFTC chairman, but his appointment still awaits a full Senate vote.

Crypto payments firm MoonPay confirmed that Caroline D. Pham, the acting Chair of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), will join the firm as Chief Legal Officer after she finishes her term at the derivatives regulator.

Her move comes as the CFTC faces a leadership transition and grapples with how far and how fast to stretch its reach over crypto markets.​

Pham’s Next Role at MoonPay

MoonPay said Pham will step in as chief legal officer, with the company also describing her remit as including chief administrative responsibilities and oversight of global legal and administrative functions.

She will lead MoonPay’s policy and regulatory strategy from Washington, underscoring the firm’s push to shape US rules governing crypto payments and on‑ramps that convert fiat currencies into digital assets.

In a recent social media post, Pham commented about the leadership changes at the agency, saying: “I’m looking forward to a successful confirmation of Mike Selig as the CFTC’s next chairman and a smooth transition once he is sworn in. The future is bright. Onward and upward.”

From CFTC Acting Chair to Private Sector

Pham took over as acting chairman of the CFTC in January after President Donald Trump appointed her to lead the agency on an interim basis.

During her tenure, the derivatives watchdog oversaw a pick‑up in activity around prediction markets, explored pathways for offshore crypto firms to return to the US, and signaled a more assertive enforcement push through what staff described as an “enforcement sprint” targeting firms in its sights.

The Handling of My Forex Funds Case

However, her leadership was not without controversy. Last year, Pham issued a statement urging swift action over alleged misconduct by CFTC staff in an enforcement case that involved Traders Global Group Inc., the operator of prop trading firm My Forex Funds.

A judge later threw out the commission’s complaint with prejudice against My Forex Funds operator. The court also granted a motion imposing sanctions on the regulator.

Trump has nominated Michael Selig, a lawyer with deep crypto policy experience, to serve as permanent CFTC chairman, but his appointment still awaits a full Senate vote.

Topics
CFTC
About the Author: Jared Kirui
Jared Kirui
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About the Author: Jared Kirui
Jared is an experienced financial journalist passionate about all things forex and CFDs.
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