Key Highlights
- Christine Johnson will depart from the CFTC on September 3, 2025
- Johnson cautions Congress: enhanced resources needed for cryptocurrency regulation
- Acting Chair Caroline Pham advocates for new regulations on prediction markets
CFTC Commissioner Christine Johnson to Depart Amid Crypto Focus
Democratic Commissioner Christine Johnson is set to leave the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) on September 3, 2025, while Acting Chair Caroline Pham will remain at the helm, according to Bloomberg.
Johnson’s Final Appeal: Increased Resources for Crypto Regulation
In her farewell remarks, Johnson urged Congress to enhance the regulator’s capacity for managing digital assets:
“As we consider significant changes in markets and structures, I worry that our expert staff require the necessary support and investment to thrive.”
Johnson, who joined the CFTC in 2022 after being nominated by former President Joe Biden, has consistently pushed for greater agency authority over cryptocurrencies.
Her exit occurs as the CFTC grapples with major hurdles, including a 15% staff reduction since the outset of President Donald Trump’s administration, with additional cuts anticipated in the enforcement division.
Pham Advocates for New Market Regulations Amid Leadership Change
Acting Chair Caroline Pham, appointed by Trump, has criticized previous CFTC approaches to prediction markets, asserting that legal ambiguities “necessitate a reevaluation of the rules and methods, rather than simply discarding previous policy.”
Reports indicate that Pham has initiated an expert roundtable to develop a new regulatory framework, reviewing the agency’s position on platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket. Notably, Kalshi recently won a legal battle against the CFTC, suggesting a potential shift in regulatory policies.
Leadership Uncertainty and Stalls
Meanwhile, Trump’s nominee for CFTC Chair, Brian Quintenza, awaits Senate confirmation amid delays in committee votes. Despite the holdup, the White House has reiterated support for Quintenza, and key crypto industry organizations have sent a joint letter urging his confirmation.
Former CFTC Chair Rostin Behnam, who resigned in January, cautioned before his departure that comprehensive regulations for cryptocurrencies could take 6–10 months to adopt and another year to implement.
This transition in leadership aligns with the agency’s Crypto Sprint initiative, designed to establish clear regulations for the cryptocurrency market in collaboration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
