Trump’s CFTC Pick Brian Quintenz Discloses Crypto Ties, $3.4 Million in Assets

President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Brian Quintenz, has revealed millions of dollars in assets and deep ties to crypto-related organizations, raising both attention and scrutiny as he awaits Senate confirmation.

In newly released filings from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics on May 25, Quintenz disclosed holdings of at least $3.4 million, as reported by Bloomberg on May 27. His portfolio includes positions and investments directly connected to the CFTC’s regulatory priorities, particularly in the crypto and market prediction sectors.

Crypto, Market Investments in the Spotlight

Quintenz, who previously served as a CFTC commissioner from 2017 to 2021, currently holds the role of global head of crypto policy at venture capital powerhouse Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). He has stated that he will step down from this post if confirmed as CFTC chair.

Among his disclosed investments are stakes in three AH Capital Management funds — CNK Fund III, CNK Seed 1 Fund, and CNK IV Fund — as well as capital commitments tied to related general partners. He also serves on the board of Kalshi, a prediction markets platform, where he holds stock and unvested stock options. Additionally, Quintenz has vested stock options and equity in Next Level Derivatives, a finance and lending brokerage.

These holdings place Quintenz at the heart of two major CFTC policy areas: cryptocurrency oversight and prediction market regulation. Notably, Kalshi recently settled a major legal dispute with the CFTC over election betting.

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An excerpt of Brian Quintenz's letter. Source: US Office of Government Ethics

Commitments to Avoid Conflicts of Interest

In a formal agreement letter to John Einstman, the CFTC’s Designated Agency Ethics Official, dated May 21, Quintenz detailed the measures he will take to avoid conflicts of interest if confirmed as chair.

“I will not participate personally and substantially in any particular matter in which I know that I have a financial interest directly and predictably affected by the matter,” Quintenz stated.

He has pledged to resign from all external positions and divest conflicting assets within 90 days of confirmation. Specifically, he will recuse himself from matters involving a16z for two years, step away from Kalshi-related issues for one year, and forfeit any unvested stock options at multiple companies. While he will comply with federal conflict of interest laws and receive ethics briefings, Quintenz plans to retain unpaid trustee roles for two family trusts.

Trump formally nominated Quintenz for the top CFTC post in February, and the nomination is currently awaiting Senate confirmation.

CFTC Leadership Shake-Up Continues

Quintenz’s nomination comes at a time of significant turnover within the CFTC. On May 21, Democratic Commissioner Kristin Johnson announced plans to leave the agency later this year, joining a wave of departures. Commissioners Summer Mersinger and Christy Goldsmith Romero have also announced they will step down on May 30 and May 31, respectively.

If confirmed, Quintenz could have the opportunity to reshape the agency’s leadership and direction at a pivotal moment, as debates around crypto regulation and market oversight continue to intensify under the Trump administration’s watch.