The Trump administration has reportedly withdrawn its nomination of Brian Quintenz to lead the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). This development follows earlier reports of a stall in Quintenz's confirmation process.
Quintenz's nomination had faced challenges since February 2025. In July 2025, the Trump administration requested a delay in the Senate Agriculture Committee's vote on his nomination but reaffirmed its support later that month. However, this latest move suggests a change in direction. This wouldn't be the first time Trump withdrew Quintenz from a CFTC nomination.
Several factors may have contributed to the withdrawal. The Winklevoss twins, Tyler and Cameron, co-founders of the Gemini crypto exchange, were reportedly critical of Quintenz. They allegedly lobbied against his nomination after he refused to actively investigate Gemini's complaint accusing CFTC staff of misconduct during a previous investigation. Tyler Winklevoss criticized what he called years of unfair treatment under the Biden administration. The Wall Street Journal noted the Winklevoss twins had donated millions to Trump's campaign, demonstrating their political influence. It has been reported that Trump blocked the nomination of Quintenz after a text from Tyler Winklevoss. The Winklevoss twins sought assurances on Quintenz's approach to Gemini's regulatory issues. Quintenz's refusal to provide such assurances reportedly led Trump to request the Senate to withdraw his nomination.
With Quintenz's nomination uncertain, the Trump administration is reportedly considering other candidates for the role. Potential contenders include Michael Selig, chief counsel to the SEC's crypto task force, and Tyler Williams, a Treasury counselor focused on digital asset policy.
The timing of this decision is critical for the CFTC. The agency is currently understaffed, with Caroline Pham serving as acting chair. Pham previously stated her intention to leave the agency upon Quintenz's confirmation. Moreover, new legislation could expand the CFTC's powers over crypto markets, making the appointment of a new chair crucial in shaping the regulatory landscape. The CFTC is expected to play a central role in crypto oversight as crypto regulation in the U.S. takes shape. Quintenz served as one of five CFTC commissioners until 2021. He then left the agency to become head of policy at a16z crypto, a web3 venture capital fund under Andreessen Horowitz.
