**President Trump Reportedly Prepares to Nominate Michael Selig as CFTC Chair**

President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to nominate Michael Selig, a senior adviser at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and a long-time advocate for digital asset innovation, to lead the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). This move comes after Trump abruptly withdrew his previous nominee, Brian Quintenz, whose confirmation stalled amid industry scrutiny.

### From SEC Counsel to CFTC Front-Runner

Selig currently serves as chief counsel to the SEC’s crypto task force and has earned a reputation as one of Washington’s more forward-thinking voices on blockchain regulation. He has worked closely with SEC Chair Paul Atkins on digital asset policy, helping to architect frameworks that aim to bring decentralized finance (DeFi) and tokenized securities into compliance without stifling innovation.

While the White House has not officially confirmed the nomination, sources told Bloomberg that Trump personally approved the choice earlier this week. Market observers see Selig’s potential appointment as a clear sign that the administration intends to accelerate crypto integration within federal financial policy.

### Why This Nomination Matters

If confirmed, Selig would oversee an agency that is increasingly central to how crypto markets are regulated in the U.S. Under recommendations from the White House Working Group on Digital Assets, the CFTC is expected to play a larger role in overseeing spot crypto trading, while the SEC retains oversight of tokenized securities such as digital bonds and equity tokens.

This dual-agency framework aims to end years of jurisdictional confusion that has left the industry uncertain about whether digital assets fall under securities law or commodities law. A Selig-led CFTC could help finalize these boundaries and potentially bring long-awaited stability to the sector.

### A Recalibration of Power

The CFTC’s leadership shuffle follows months of political maneuvering. Former nominee Brian Quintenz, a respected figure with industry ties, withdrew from consideration in September after pushback from the Winklevoss twins, founders of Gemini Exchange, who reportedly expressed concerns over potential conflicts of interest.

Trump’s selection of Selig is widely seen as a response to that stalemate and a bid to reassert his administration’s pro-innovation stance ahead of 2026. The president has long favored giving the CFTC greater responsibility for digital assets, a view that aligns with proposals floated since 2024 under his Digital Assets Policy Roadmap.

### SEC and CFTC Find Common Ground

In recent months, both regulators have made visible efforts to coordinate their approaches. In September, they issued a joint statement on regulatory harmonization, pledging cooperation on enforcement and policy.

The CFTC followed with a “crypto sprint” in August—a fast-track initiative to adopt the White House’s digital asset recommendations. Rumors of a merger between the two agencies have surfaced, but SEC Chair Paul Atkins dismissed the speculation, noting that such a consolidation would require authorization by Congress or the president.

For now, the plan is clear: cooperation, not combination.

### A Defining Moment for U.S. Crypto Policy

Selig’s appointment would mark one of the most consequential shifts in the federal government’s approach to crypto since Trump returned to office. His SEC background gives him deep knowledge of compliance and securities law, while his pragmatic approach to decentralized finance has earned him credibility among both policymakers and blockchain developers.

If confirmed, analysts expect Selig to focus on clearer classification of digital assets, improved market transparency, and closer collaboration with global regulators.

For the crypto community, this potential nomination represents a rare moment of optimism from Washington. After years of uncertainty, the possibility of a CFTC chair who understands blockchain’s nuances could finally bring the regulatory clarity the U.S. has been waiting for.

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### About the Author

**Alexander Zdravkov** is a reporter at Coindoo. Fluent in German and with more than three years of experience in the crypto space, he skillfully identifies new trends in digital currencies. Whether providing in-depth analysis or daily reports, Alexander’s deep understanding and enthusiasm make him a valuable member of the team.
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