White House Withdraws Brian Quintenz’s Nomination to Chair CFTC Amid Crypto Feud
The White House has withdrawn Brian Quintenz’s nomination to chair the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Politico reported, citing officials familiar with the matter.
The decision comes less than eight months after President Donald Trump tapped the former commissioner to lead the powerful derivatives regulator. An official said a new nominee will be announced “in the near future.”
Crypto Feud with Winklevoss Twins
Quintenz, a onetime CFTC commissioner who later joined venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz, was widely seen as a strong contender for the role, with backing from both Wall Street and the crypto industry. But his candidacy unraveled following a public feud with Gemini founders Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss.
In July, the twins urged Trump to reconsider, arguing Quintenz was misaligned with the president’s crypto agenda. Gemini has faced ongoing battles with the CFTC since 2017 and earlier this year paid a $5 million settlement after being accused of misleading statements—claims the exchange insists stemmed from a “false whistleblower.”
Tensions spiked in September when Quintenz published private messages from Tyler Winklevoss, who had pressed him to commit to regulatory reform. Quintenz rejected the demand and later suggested the twins had misrepresented his positions to Trump.
Other Concerns Surrounding Quintenz
Quintenz also faced scrutiny for his role as an advisor to Kalshi, a prediction market platform seeking entry into sports betting. Observers noted that while the Winklevoss clash hurt his chances, political alignment and industry trust are equally critical in high-level nominations.
“Other factors such as political alignment, relationships across the industry and confidence among policymakers are just as important,” Jakob Kronbichler, CEO of Clearpool told Decrypt. “Ultimately, what matters is whether a candidate can command trust from both markets and Congress.”
Industry Reactions
Ji Kim, CEO of the Crypto Council, called Quintenz a principled and knowledgeable leader, stating he “would have been an exceptionally strong and principled chair for the CFTC, our industry, and our country.”
Kronbichler added that the dispute highlights how closely crypto politics and regulatory appointments are now being monitored in Washington. “Debate is normal and necessary in policymaking,” he said. “What it shows is the increased scrutiny on relationships between regulators, industry, and the White House.”
What’s Next for the CFTC?
For now, the CFTC remains under acting Chair Caroline Pham, a Republican who has pledged closer coordination with the SEC while defending the agency’s independence. Pham has said she plans to step aside once a permanent chair is confirmed.
Analysts expect the next nominee will need to balance investor protection with fostering innovation, while maintaining credibility across both Wall Street and Washington.
“The CFTC has a central role in setting standards for derivatives and trading venues,” Kronbichler said. “Regulatory experience and a practical approach to innovation will be crucial. It’s not about being for or against crypto, but about recognizing digital assets are already part of global markets,” he added.
