CFTC Launches High-Speed Crypto Push Following Trump’s Executive Order
In a dramatic move aimed at fast-tracking U.S. leadership in digital finance, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has kicked off a “crypto sprint” to implement the key recommendations from former President Donald Trump’s Digital Asset Markets Executive Order, issued earlier this year.
Acting CFTC Chair Caroline Pham announced on Friday that the agency will collaborate closely with SEC Chair Paul Atkins and Commissioner Hester Peirce under the broader Project Crypto initiative, also unveiled this week.
“The CFTC is wasting no time in fulfilling President Trump’s vision to make America the crypto capital of the world,” Pham declared.
What’s Driving the Crypto Sprint? White House Releases 18 Key Recommendations
The President’s Working Group on Financial Markets has released a sweeping report featuring 18 crypto-focused recommendations designed to streamline regulation and foster innovation in the digital asset space. Of those, two directly task the CFTC with major responsibilities.
Defining Crypto Commodities and DeFi Compatibility
The CFTC has been asked to issue formal guidance on:
- How cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum qualify as commodities
- How they integrate with Decentralized Finance (DeFi) protocols
- How digital asset platforms can register under current U.S. regulations
Clear classifications could enhance legal certainty for blockchain developers, DeFi apps, and institutional investors.
Updating Derivatives Regulations for Blockchain-Based Markets
The CFTC is also revisiting its derivatives framework to support blockchain-based trading, including:
- Automated smart contract execution
- Perpetual contracts
- 24/7 digital asset derivatives markets
These updates will help modernize existing rules that were never built with decentralized technologies in mind.
Multi-Agency Collaboration: CFTC and SEC Join Forces on Crypto Oversight
One of the most urgent recommendations involves cooperation between the CFTC and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Key mandates include:
- Coordinating digital asset rulemaking to provide regulatory clarity
- Establishing a joint regulatory sandbox to enable safe innovation in crypto
- Exploring integrated licensing frameworks to allow crypto platforms to operate multiple services legally
The White House has also urged Congress to give the CFTC explicit jurisdiction over spot markets for non-security crypto assets like Bitcoin.
CFTC’s Current Crypto Actions and Policy Development
CFTC Chair Caroline Pham stated that the agency has already begun implementing groundwork. Active initiatives include:
- Hosting stakeholder meetings with crypto industry leaders
- Withdrawing outdated advisory guidance no longer relevant in today’s crypto ecosystem
- Conducting consultations on the regulation of 24/7 crypto derivatives trading
These steps signal a broader modernization of financial rules to support digital innovation.
Brian Quintenz Appointed to Lead U.S. Crypto Regulation Strategy
Former U.S. Congressman and current Head of Policy at a16z Crypto, Brian Quintenz, has been tapped by Donald Trump to lead the CFTC’s crypto regulatory mission.
Although his Senate confirmation has been delayed, Quintenz is seen as a leading force in shaping America’s digital asset future, with a focus on innovation-driven regulatory policy.
The Start of America’s Golden Age of Blockchain and Crypto Innovation
The CFTC’s shift into “crypto sprint” mode reflects a historic pivot in U.S. digital finance policy. If Project Crypto is executed effectively, it could:
- Make the U.S. a global crypto hub, rivaling Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Launch a new era of blockchain innovation and regulatory clarity
- Lay the foundation for a “Golden Age of Crypto” where technology and law evolve in sync
With bipartisan momentum and clear White House support, the United States may finally be positioning itself as a leader in the next era of global finance.
