Trump Nominates Michael Selig as CFTC Chair to Strengthen U.S. Crypto Oversight

President Donald Trump has selected Michael Selig as his nominee for chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), signaling a strategic shift in his administration’s approach to cryptocurrency regulation. The decision underscores Trump’s intent to establish a unified regulatory framework for digital assets and position the U.S. as a leader in crypto oversight.

According to Bloomberg, Selig currently serves as chief counsel for the SEC’s crypto task force, where he has coordinated closely with agency leadership on digital asset policy. His nomination comes as Washington moves toward finalizing a national crypto market structure framework, which could significantly expand the CFTC’s authority over cryptocurrencies.

This nomination follows Trump’s earlier attempt to appoint Brian Quintenz, a former a16z Crypto executive, whose confirmation was delayed by Senate opposition and objections from industry figures like Tyler Winklevoss. With Selig’s experience bridging both securities and commodities regulation, Trump appears determined to complete the appointment amid growing regulatory demands.

Selig’s extensive background makes him a strong candidate to oversee the evolving crypto landscape. At the SEC, he worked under Chairman Paul Atkins, aligning policy between the SEC and CFTC. Prior to that, as a partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher, he advised fintech and asset management clients on compliance and market practices—experience that could help harmonize innovation with regulation.

Trump’s nomination of Selig also reinforces his pro-crypto agenda, reflected in recent actions such as the pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao and discussions around new crypto licensing frameworks. If confirmed by the Senate, Selig is expected to foster collaboration between the SEC and CFTC, reducing regulatory friction and creating a more coherent oversight model for the U.S. digital asset market.