The White House has withdrawn the nomination of Brian Quintenz to lead the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The move ends a confirmation process that faced delays and growing opposition in recent months.

Quintenz, who served as a CFTC commissioner from 2017 to 2021, was nominated earlier this year by President Donald Trump. He was tapped to replace acting chair Caroline Pham and take permanent leadership of the derivatives regulator.

Quintenz Issues Statement on Exit

In a statement, Quintenz described the nomination process as an honor. He thanked the President and the Senate Agriculture Committee for their consideration and said he would return to the private sector.

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The White House confirmed the decision but did not provide a reason for the withdrawal. Reports of political disagreements and industry pushback had circulated for weeks.

Senate Delays and Industry Opposition

The nomination stalled in the Senate Agriculture Committee, which oversees the CFTC. Public opposition also grew from parts of the crypto industry. Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, who lead Gemini Trust, resisted the appointment, saying Quintenz did not align with their preferred direction for digital asset regulation Regulation Like any other industry with a high net worth, the financial services industry is tightly regulated to help curb illicit behavior and manipulation. Each asset class has its own set of protocols put in place to combat their respective forms of abuse.In the foreign exchange space, regulation is assumed by authorities in multiple jurisdictions, though ultimately lacking a binding international order. Who are the Industry’s Leading Regulators?Regulators such as the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority ( Like any other industry with a high net worth, the financial services industry is tightly regulated to help curb illicit behavior and manipulation. Each asset class has its own set of protocols put in place to combat their respective forms of abuse.In the foreign exchange space, regulation is assumed by authorities in multiple jurisdictions, though ultimately lacking a binding international order. Who are the Industry’s Leading Regulators?Regulators such as the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority ( Read this Term.

You may find it interesting at FinanceMagnates.com: Conflict of Interest? Incoming CFTC Chair Has Deep Ties with Crypto and Prediction Markets.

Quintenz later shared private messages suggesting their opposition was tied to his refusal to take a public position on a CFTC CFTC The 1974 Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) in the United States created the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The Commission protects and regulates market activities against manipulation, fraud, and abuse trade practices and promotes fairness in futures contracts. The CEA also included the Sad-Johnson Agreement, which defined the authority and responsibilities for the monitoring of financial contracts between the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commiss The 1974 Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) in the United States created the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The Commission protects and regulates market activities against manipulation, fraud, and abuse trade practices and promotes fairness in futures contracts. The CEA also included the Sad-Johnson Agreement, which defined the authority and responsibilities for the monitoring of financial contracts between the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commiss Read this Term enforcement case involving Gemini. He wrote that such matters should be reviewed by a fully confirmed chair.

Brian Quintenz’s CFTC Nomination Withdrawn Amid Controversy

In an unexpected development, the Biden administration has withdrawn Brian Quintenz’s nomination to lead the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). ⚖️

Quintenz, widely recognized for his pro-innovation stance on… pic.twitter.com/B4DpJWIKhC

— CryptoNewsZ (@cryptonewsz_) October 1, 2025

Uncertainty Over CFTC Leadership

The withdrawal comes as the CFTC faces pressure to clarify its role in regulating digital assets. Congress is debating legislation that could expand the agency’s authority, and leadership uncertainty may complicate those efforts.

The CFTC continues under acting chair Caroline Pham. Observers expect the administration to nominate another candidate in the coming months, with several former commissioners and policy officials already mentioned as possible contenders.

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