CFTC chair Rostin Behnam to resign on Trump’s inauguration day

Rostin Behnam, head of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, plans to step down on the very same day as Donald Trump’s inauguration, marking the start of his presidency as the 47th leader of America.

The chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Rostin Behnam, recently announced his departure from the regulatory agency. This decision comes a mere fortnight before President Donald Trump’s inauguration.

As an analyst, I can share that during my tenure, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) actively advocated for comprehensive digital asset policies with the aim of fostering industry growth. The agency took a significant step by categorizing prominent cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) as commodities. On the other hand, under the leadership of outgoing chair Gary Gensler at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), there was no explicit clarification regarding Ether’s regulatory status.

Behnam consistently emphasizes the need for more regulation in digital currencies like Bitcoin, particularly regarding political wagering agreements and websites. He continues to highlight this issue as he readies for his departure, maintaining it as a primary concern.

Previously, Behnam led the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) through legal disputes with platforms such as Kalshi, a U.S.-accessible, regulated predictive marketplace.

Rostin Behnam’s exit constitutes a proverbial “mixed bag”

Although Behnam’s opposition to Kalshi and political betting markets due to fears of manipulation is known, his departure from the CFTC could elicit a range of responses within the cryptocurrency world.

As the chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), I found myself becoming a beacon for cryptocurrency advocates, who saw me as more receptive to their industry compared to other regulators in my position. In contrast, figures such as SEC Chair Gary Gensler and Federal Reserve board member Michael Barr were perceived by many within the crypto community as traditional adversaries.

As a crypto investor, I concur wholeheartedly with Behnam’s perspective that the U.S. could benefit greatly from more transparent regulations in the realm of blockchain operations. This clarity would not only foster innovation within our industry but also bolster its growth potential.

As a dedicated crypto investor, I wholeheartedly agree with Behnam’s stance that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is more than capable of managing digital asset markets, even given its relatively smaller budget in comparison to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In fact, a bipartisan bill, dubbed FIT21, proposes an intriguing division of regulatory responsibilities between these two entities. If passed, this legislation would designate the CFTC as the principal regulator for crypto exchanges and brokerages, allowing it to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our digital economy.

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2025-01-07 18:10