The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has launched nominations for its new CEO Innovation Council, a high-level advisory body aimed at strengthening regulatory oversight over cryptocurrency markets, prediction markets, and exchange innovation. Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham announced the initiative this week, inviting public submissions before the December 8 deadline.
Are you locked in? 👀 @CFTC CEO Innovation Council will ensure we hit the ground running to take on our expanded mission over crypto and prediction markets with responsible regulation. America’s Golden Age of Innovation is here 🇺🇸 Nominations due Dec 8. More info ⬇️…
— Caroline D. Pham (@CarolineDPham) November 25, 2025
Council to advise on digital assets, stablecoins, and market structure
Under Acting Chairman Pham, the CFTC has focused heavily on advancing innovation and ensuring market resilience amid the rise of crypto assets and tokenized financial systems. The new advisory council will serve as a platform for CEOs and senior executives to provide guidance on key areas shaping the future of U.S. derivatives and digital asset markets.
The initiative builds upon previous efforts from the agency, including the Crypto CEO Forum, the CFTC’s “Crypto Sprint” program, and close collaboration with lawmakers on digital asset market-structure legislation. The CFTC has also expanded its focus to include prediction markets, stablecoins, perpetual contracts, and 24/7 trading mechanisms in derivatives markets.
“The U.S. is leading a new era in market structure, and the CFTC is at the forefront of this renaissance accelerated by innovation and technology,” Acting Chairman Pham said.
“The CFTC stands ready to carry out our mission over expanded markets and products, including crypto and digital assets, and ensure our markets remain vibrant and resilient while protecting all participants. In order to hit the ground running, it is critical that the CFTC drives public engagement with the support of expert industry leaders and visionaries who are building the future. That is why today I am calling upon CEOs to join us in shaping responsible regulations that will lay the foundation for America’s Golden Age of Innovation.”
Pham emphasized that the “Crypto Sprint” initiative, which began as an implementation of the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets report, will continue through August 2026. The program will develop regulatory frameworks for listed spot crypto trading, tokenized collateral, and blockchain-enabled market infrastructure, aiming to bring greater transparency and innovation to the commodities sector.
How to apply and what the council will do
The CFTC is inviting members of the public to nominate individuals for the CEO Innovation Council and to propose potential discussion topics for its early sessions. Each nomination should include a candidate’s name, title, affiliation, and supporting background information that demonstrates their qualifications. Submissions should also identify key topics to prioritize, such as digital asset risk management, stablecoin integration, or prediction market innovation.
Applicants must send nominations via email to [email protected], with the subject line “CEO Innovation Council Nomination.” Submission is not a guarantee of selection, and the CFTC will review all candidates based on expertise and relevance to its expanded regulatory mandate.
Leadership transition and regulatory uncertainty
The council’s rollout coincides with a period of leadership uncertainty at the CFTC. President Donald Trump has nominated Michael Selig, currently an official at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), to take over as the agency’s permanent chair. A Senate floor vote on Selig’s confirmation is expected once congressional members return to Washington after the Thanksgiving recess.
The CFTC has operated for months with minimal leadership, with Pham serving as the sole commissioner. During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee, Selig stated that strong regulatory oversight of spot digital asset commodity markets is “vitally important” for “consumer protection and orderly trading conditions.” His comments referenced ongoing policy debates over whether the CFTC or the SEC should lead federal oversight of cryptocurrency markets.
Selig also addressed proposals to allow stablecoins as collateral in derivatives markets, an initiative the CFTC showed interest in earlier this year. Lawmakers have revisited the topic as part of broader discussions on the evolving nature of digital asset trading and federal oversight frameworks.
A bridge between regulators and innovators
By establishing the CEO Innovation Council, the CFTC hopes to create a structured dialogue between regulators and industry pioneers, balancing market safety with innovation. The council’s formation signals the agency’s continued effort to modernize its approach to digital assets while ensuring transparency, investor protection, and competitive markets.
With the U.S. increasingly positioning itself as a leader in global fintech development, Pham’s push for CEO participation reflects an urgency to “hit the ground running” in shaping the next phase of digital market regulation.
As Pham noted,
“It is critical that the CFTC drives public engagement with the support of expert industry leaders and visionaries who are building the future.”
Oleksii Shumak
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