Nomination withdrawn after months of delay
The White House officially withdrew Brian Quintenz’s nomination to chair the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) late Tuesday, according to sources familiar with the decision.
Quintenz, a former CFTC commissioner and venture investor with Andreessen Horowitz, was nominated by President Donald Trump in February 2025 but faced delays in confirmation.
Winklevoss Brothers’ influence
The withdrawal follows a July call from crypto billionaires Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, co-founders of Gemini, who reportedly urged Trump to reconsider Quintenz. The brothers expressed concerns that Quintenz was not aligned with the administration’s crypto agenda.
Shortly after, the White House requested the Senate Agriculture Committee delay a scheduled meeting that could have advanced his nomination.
Quintenz later suggested that the Winklevosses misrepresented their concerns to the President.
The Winklevoss twins have expressed apprehension regarding Quintenz's past actions during his previous term at the CFTC.
They criticized the agency's enforcement actions against Gemini, particularly a $5 million settlement in January 2025, which they viewed as part of a prolonged pattern of "lawfare" a term they used to describe what they perceived as politically motivated legal actions against their company.
Tyler Winklevoss conveyed these concerns to Quintenz, urging him to address what they considered a hostile regulatory environment at the CFTC.
Quintenz responds
Quintenz described the nomination process as “the honor of my life” and expressed gratitude to the administration and the Senate Agriculture Committee. He stated that he looks forward to returning to private-sector work during a period of innovation in digital assets.
I’ve never been inclined to release private messages. But in light of my support for the President and belief that he might have been misled, I’ve posted here the messages that include the questions Tyler Winklevoss asked me pertaining to their prior litigation with the CFTC.
— Brian Quintenz (@BrianQuintenz) September 10, 2025
I… pic.twitter.com/MN75M1XUpT
Quintenz reaction. Source.
A White House official confirmed the withdrawal, emphasizing that Quintenz remains a trusted ally and that a new nominee would be announced in the near future.
CFTC’s expanding role in crypto
Traditionally an obscure agency overseeing commodity markets, the CFTC is gaining significance under Trump.
Lawmakers are working to expand the commission’s authority over major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ether. Acting Chair Caroline Pham currently leads the CFTC but plans to step down once a permanent chair is confirmed.
The administration is reportedly considering several alternatives to lead the CFTC, including Mike Selig, chief counsel for the SEC’s crypto task force; Tyler Williams, Treasury advisor on crypto; Josh Sterling, former CFTC official; and former commissioner Jill Sommers.
These candidates are viewed as capable of overseeing the agency’s expanding role in digital assets.
Industry reactions
Quintenz’s ties to Kalshi, a prediction market firm entering sports betting, also drew opposition from the gaming industry. Lawmakers like Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) emphasized the need for independent CFTC leadership to enforce agency regulations effectively.
Quintenz’s withdrawal highlights the interplay between private interests, industry pressure, and regulatory appointments in Washington. As the CFTC’s influence over cryptocurrency markets grows, the choice of leadership will be critical for shaping the regulatory environment for digital assets.
Oleksii Shumak
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