White House weighs new CFTC chair picks as Quintenz stalls
The White House is weighing additional candidates to lead the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) as Brian Quintenz’s confirmation stalls. Names discussed include Michael Selig, chief counsel to the SEC’s crypto task force, and Tyler Williams, a Treasury counselor on digital asset policy.
The administration reaffirmed support for Brian Quintenz in July but asked the Senate Agriculture Committee to pause a planned vote on his nomination, according to people familiar with the matter. That request followed outreach from Tyler Winklevoss, who urged President Donald Trump to stop or delay the process.
Earlier this month, Quintenz posted screenshots of July messages with the Winklevoss brothers, saying the president “might have been misled.” As GNcrypto previously reported, the texts surfaced on the eve of Gemini’s IPO amid the exchange’s dispute with the commission.
If the White House pursues alternatives, Michael Selig and Tyler Williams are among the candidates under discussion, people said. Selig serves as chief counsel to the SEC’s crypto task force and previously was a partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher. Williams advises Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on digital‑asset policy and joined the department from Galaxy Digital.
The CFTC, ordinarily a five‑member bipartisan commission, is currently operating with only acting Chair Caroline Pham following a series of departures. The agency is expected to gain more sway over digital assets under legislation moving through Congress.
The White House hasn’t announced a shift away from Quintenz. Both Quintenz and the CFTC declined to comment. A White House official said the process is in preliminary stages.
Next steps depend on the Senate Agriculture Committee’s schedule and the administration’s final pick. No timeline has been announced.
If the White House pursues alternatives, Michael Selig and Tyler Williams are among the candidates under discussion, people said. Selig serves as chief counsel to the SEC’s crypto task force and previously was a partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher. Williams advises Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on digital‑asset policy and joined the department from Galaxy Digital.
The CFTC, ordinarily a five‑member bipartisan commission, is currently operating with only acting Chair Caroline Pham following a series of departures. The agency is expected to gain more sway over digital assets under legislation moving through Congress.
The White House hasn’t announced a shift away from Quintenz. Both Quintenz and the CFTC declined to comment. A White House official said the process is in preliminary stages.
Next steps depend on the Senate Agriculture Committee’s schedule and the administration’s final pick. No timeline has been announced.
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