Brian Quintenz, a former commissioner at the CFTC and a well-known figure in the digital asset space, has confirmed that his nomination to chair the agency has been withdrawn by the Trump White House.
Quintenz, who previously led crypto policy at venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), acknowledged the decision in a statement on Tuesday following an initial report by Politico.
“Being nominated to chair the CFTC and going through the confirmation process was the honor of my life,” Quintenz said. “I am grateful to the president for that opportunity and to the Senate Agriculture Committee for its consideration. I look forward to returning to my private sector endeavors during this exciting time for innovation in our country.”
Allegations of Winklevoss Interference
While the White House has not explained why Quintenz’s nomination was withdrawn, reports point to political hurdles in Congress and alleged pushback from Gemini co-founders Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss.
Last month, Quintenz publicly accused the twins of lobbying against his nomination. On X, he shared private text exchanges in which the Winklevosses pressed him to address Gemini’s regulatory challenges and push for what they called “cultural reform” at the CFTC. Quintenz claimed that after refusing to make such promises, the brothers reached out directly to President Trump to have his confirmation delayed.
The Gemini exchange, run by the Winklevosses, settled a civil case with the CFTC for $5 million earlier this year. The dispute reportedly left tensions between the parties, with the brothers arguing the agency had engaged in “lawfare” against crypto firms.
CFTC Faces Leadership Vacuum During Key Legislation
The CFTC has been operating without a permanent chair for nearly a year and is currently led by Acting Chair Caroline Pham. Pham had previously signaled her intent to step aside once a new chair was confirmed, leaving the agency’s future leadership uncertain.
This leadership gap comes as Congress debates the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, a landmark bill that would more clearly divide oversight responsibilities between the CFTC, the SEC, and other financial regulators.
Under the bill, sufficiently decentralized assets such as Bitcoin and Ether would be classified as “digital commodities” under the CFTC’s jurisdiction.
Quintenz, long regarded as a pro‑crypto voice in Washington, was widely supported by industry leaders who hoped his appointment would bring regulatory clarity. With his withdrawal, uncertainty now hangs over the agency’s direction at a critical time for U.S. digital asset policy.