Brian Quintenz, who leads coverage for Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto crew, introduced on Wednesday that he’s being tapped to go the Commodity Futures Buying and selling Fee (CFTC), in keeping with his X publish. And lots of within the VC trade seem like thrilled about it.
The CFTC regulates the buying and selling of commodity futures, choices, and swaps, in any other case often called derivatives. It’s also concerned within the enforcement of laws impacting some crypto.
He beforehand served as a commissioner for the CFTC in the course of the first Trump administration, in keeping with his a16z biography and, previous to that, he based the funding agency Saeculum Capital Administration.
He joined a16z in 2021 as an advisory companion earlier than turning into head of coverage for its crypto arm.
His appointment acquired help from some massive names within the trade. On X, many working for the a16z crypto arm despatched their congratulations.
Brian Armstrong, co-founder and CEO of Coinbase, who reportedly met with President Trump to debate employees appointments, posted an X welcoming Quintenz to the CFTC.
Bobby Franklin, president of the Nationwide Enterprise Capital Affiliation (NVCA), a lobbying group, launched an announcement in help of Quintenz’s nomination, saying his authorities and enterprise expertise will “present worthwhile views as he helms a high regulatory physique for the crypto market.”
His pending appointment comes at a time when the CFTC has been mired in controversy. The appearing chair, Caroline Pham, not too long ago eliminated the top of HR, and the company launched an announcement that made allegations towards this individual. This after Bloomberg reported that there have been inner investigations happening on the company.
Quintenz is the most recent affiliate of a16z to search out his strategy to the White Home. The agency has grow to be so concerned with the Trump administration that co-founder Marc Andreessen, an ardent Trump supporter, is alleged to be quietly serving to with authorities employees recruitment.
Elsewhere, Sriram Krishnan, former basic companion at a16z, is now a White Home senior coverage advisor; Scott Kupor, one of many agency’s managing companions, was tapped to steer the Workplace of Personnel Administration, and Jamie Sullivan, one other investor on the agency, is rumored to be advising DOGE.
