Trump's CFTC pick Brian Quintenz set for Senate hearing on June 10

Brian Quintenz, the nominee for chair of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, is scheduled to appear before the Senate Agriculture Committee for a nomination hearing on June 10.

Quintenz, head of global policy at a16z crypto, previously served as a commissioner at the CFTC from 2017 to 2021. According to the committee's website, the hearing is set for 3:00 p.m. on June 10.

In February, U.S. President Donald Trump nominated Quintenz to lead the CFTC. Quintenz has since met with members of the Senate committee in an effort to gain backing for his confirmation. 

In April, Quintenz met Sen. John Boozman, chairman of the committee, to "discuss the critical role the CFTC and its markets play in risk management throughout the economy, supporting our agriculture sector, and promoting innovation," said Quintenz in an X post.

"His previous experience as a CFTC Commissioner and knowledge of derivatives and emerging markets will serve him well as leader," the Senate Agriculture Committee said in a separate post on X at the time.

Quintenz's potential takeover of the CFTC comes at a time when the agency is undergoing a major leadership shuffle. In recent weeks, four remaining commissioners have either stepped down or announced plans to depart.

Crypto policy is poised to be a central topic for the CFTC in the coming future as lawmakers clarify agency oversight of different types of digital assets.

Meanwhile, Quintenz recently disclosed holding $3.4 million worth of assets, and positions in other crypto-linked companies including prediction markets platform Kalshi, which had been in a long legal battle with the CFTC. Quintenz stated he would relinquish matters and positions that would potentially cause conflicts of interests if he is confirmed as chair.