The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has launched its second “crypto sprint,” this time focusing on direct engagement with crypto market participants. Acting Chair Caroline D. Pham announced that the agency is seeking public input on how to better regulate spot crypto trading.
“The public feedback will assist the CFTC in carefully considering relevant issues for leveraged, margined or financed retail trading on a CFTC-registered exchange,” Pham said Thursday.
The move is part of the CFTC’s effort to implement recommendations from the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets and advance the U.S. President Donald Trump’s pledge to make America “win on crypto.”
Pham added that the new administration sees this moment as the “Golden Age of innovation” and urged stakeholders to participate.
The working group delivered 18 recommendations, with two directly targeting the CFTC. The first is the demand for clear guidelines on how cryptocurrencies can be considered commodities and how decentralized finance (DeFi) companies can adhere to the registration requirements.
The second wants the agency to think about changes to the rules to support blockchain-based derivatives. The remaining 16 recommendations involve coordination with the Treasury and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Earlier this month, the CFTC’s first crypto sprint explored enabling spot crypto asset contracts on futures exchanges, allowing investors to trade cryptocurrencies directly in a regulated environment.
This approach could provide greater market transparency, reduce counterparty risk, and attract institutional investors to U.S. crypto markets.
In the meantime, President Trump has nominated Brian Quintenz as CFTC chairman, whose confirmation vote was postponed. Some crypto advocacy groups, including the Crypto Council for Innovation and the Blockchain Association, are urging his immediate confirmation, saying that effective leadership is essential to execute the administration’s crypto agenda.
