The nomination of Michael Selig as chair of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) comes amidst a reshuffling in crypto regulation.

With President Trump’s nomination, Selig, a recognized advocate for cryptocurrencies, is set to undergo the vetting process. Currently, Acting Chair Caroline Pham oversees the CFTC, a role she assumed in April 2025 after being nominated by President Biden.

Originally, former CFTC Commissioner Brian Quintenz was selected, but his candidacy was withdrawn following concerns from the Winklevoss twins regarding his commitment to a pro-crypto agenda. Selig is promising to prioritize cryptocurrency regulation based on his past experiences with both the CFTC and the SEC.

He shared his views on crypto via an X post, affirming, “a Great Golden Age for America’s Financial Markets and a Wealth of New Opportunities stand before us,” committing to help the President position the U.S. as the global leader in crypto.

Michael Selig must first be nominated by the Senate.

Michael Selig holds a law degree from the George Washington University and has held several positions in various firms and agencies, heavily focused on the SEC’s Crypto Task Force.

Furthermore, his perspective in favor of which assets qualify as commodities rather than securities is crucial as legislators discuss the Responsible Financial Innovation Act, which aims to redefine cryptocurrency classifications. Such changes might lead to the CFTC taking a larger regulatory role, especially over treated cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.

However, the ongoing government shutdown poses challenges for regulatory actions, which may hinder the progression of the aforementioned bill and the CFTC’s rulemaking capabilities under Selig’s potential leadership.