CFTC hires blockchain forensics chief; Strategy adds 1,587 BTC

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission named Donald Battle chief data innovation officer on Monday, citing his work in blockchain forensics and data science. CFTC Chair Michael S. Selig announced the appointment and noted Battle’s prior advisory role with the SEC crypto task force, earlier work at the CFTC and at the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. Selig described Battle’s experience as “data science, blockchain forensics, programming interfaces, and cutting-edge AI solutions.” The appointment was posted on the agency’s social account. Battle joined the SEC crypto task force in January 2025.

MicroStrategy’s Strategy unit reported an acquisition of 1,587 bitcoin between June 8 and June 14 in an 8-K filing. The company paid an average price of $63,024 per coin for the $100 million purchase, reducing its overall average cost basis to $75,656. Strategy funded the purchase through sales of its Class A common stock (MSTR), mirroring a similar acquisition of 1,550 BTC the prior week. The filing shows Strategy holds 846,842 BTC, acquired at a total cost of about $64.07 billion; at recent prices near $66,200 per coin, those holdings are valued at roughly $56.1 billion.

Bitcoin approached $66,000 early Monday after President Donald Trump posted that a peace agreement with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz was “now complete” and would be signed on Friday under Pakistan’s mediation. Andri Fauzan Adziima, research lead at Bitrue Research Institute, described the potential agreement as one that “removes a major geopolitical risk premium, triggering a clear risk-on move as uncertainty fades.” Details of the proposed deal were not fully available and it would not take effect until Iran signs.

Congress is considering the CLARITY Act, legislation that would clarify the authorities of the CFTC and the SEC over digital assets. The CFTC appointment places a senior official with blockchain analytics and data science experience on the agency’s staff while lawmakers debate that bill and regulators continue market oversight and enforcement work.