The Trump administration may abandon quantum computing, as the White House is considering appointing encryption experts to lead the CFTC.

Bloomberg reported on September 18, citing informed sources, that the White House is actively considering other candidates for the chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) due to ongoing delays in Brian Quintenz's confirmation process. This significant shift could have far-reaching implications for the regulation of Crypto Assets in the United States, especially at a critical moment when the CFTC is expected to play a central role in the regulation of digital assets.

White House Turns: Considering Crypto Assets Regulation Expert to Head CFTC

According to a report by Bloomberg, the Trump administration has been actively discussing the candidates for the CFTC chairmanship in recent weeks. The report specifically pointed out that new candidates under consideration include some officials with expertise in Crypto Assets regulation, a move that has attracted widespread attention from the market.

As the regulatory framework for Crypto Assets in the United States gradually takes shape, the CFTC is widely expected to play a central role in the regulation of digital assets. Congress is also actively working on legislation to expand the agency's regulatory authority over digital assets. At this critical moment, changes in the selection of the CFTC chairman could have significant implications for the entire industry.

CFTC Leadership Crisis: Only One Commissioner Remains in Office

Currently, the leadership of the CFTC is facing a serious vacancy. Although the agency is supposed to have five commissioners, there is currently only one commissioner, Caroline Pham, serving as acting chair. Pham had previously stated that she planned to leave the agency once the CFTC chairman, Brian Quintenz, nominated by President Trump, was confirmed, but since the nomination in February, Quintenz's confirmation process has faced numerous obstacles.

In July 2025, the Trump administration requested the Senate Agriculture Committee to postpone the vote on the nomination of Quintez to serve as CFTC Chairman, but later that month reiterated its support for him. This flip-flopping attitude raised questions in the market about the White House's position.

Kuntenzi Nomination Blocked: Strong Opposition from Winklevoss Twins

Quintenz's nomination has faced public opposition from some important figures in the Crypto Assets industry, most notably from well-known exchange co-founders Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss. These two Crypto Assets billionaires are prominent supporters and financial donors to the Trump administration, and they stated in July that Quintenz's goals and policies are inconsistent with those of the Trump administration.

Quintenz publicly accused that after Trump refused to actively investigate the complaints against the Winklevoss brothers' exchange (the complaint alleged that CFTC staff engaged in misconduct during a previous investigation of the exchange), the Winklevoss twins had lobbied Trump to oppose his nomination.

This public power struggle highlights the internal divisions within the Crypto Assets industry regarding regulatory direction, and reflects the efforts of industry leaders to influence the selection of government regulators.

The Future Direction of Crypto Regulation: The Role of the CFTC is Crucial

The news about the White House considering replacing the CFTC chairman candidate comes at a critical time as the U.S. is in the process of establishing a comprehensive Crypto Assets regulatory framework. Legislative proposals, such as the market structure bill, are advancing in Congress, which will clarify the division of responsibilities between the CFTC and SEC in the regulation of digital assets.

Experts analyze that if the White House ultimately chooses an official with expertise in Crypto Assets to serve as the CFTC chairman, it could signify a significant shift in the regulatory direction of the United States, moving towards a more friendly and understanding approach to the industry.