CFTC Appoints DJ Hennes to Lead Market Participants Division

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has named DJ Hennes as the new director of its Market Participants Division, signaling a stronger regulatory focus on crypto assets and prediction markets in 2026. CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig announced the appointment Monday, highlighting Hennes’ extensive background in digital asset compliance and derivatives oversight.

The Market Participants Division plays a critical role within the CFTC by supervising brokers, swap dealers, commodity pool operators, and other registered financial intermediaries. Hennes will oversee compliance examinations, registration programs, and collaboration with self-regulatory bodies, including the National Futures Association (NFA).

Chairman Selig emphasized that Hennes’ experience will help modernize the agency’s regulatory framework as the derivatives market evolves rapidly with blockchain technology and federally regulated prediction markets. Since taking office in late 2025, Selig has advocated for clearer crypto regulations and more transparent oversight for event-based trading contracts.

According to Selig, Hennes’ expertise in crypto assets and prediction market regulation will support the CFTC’s broader effort to “future-proof” its policies and strengthen innovation in U.S. financial markets. The appointment comes as the agency continues active rulemaking discussions surrounding event contracts and challenges against state-level restrictions on licensed prediction market platforms.

Before joining the CFTC, Hennes worked at KPMG, advising financial institutions and brokerage firms on digital asset derivatives compliance. Earlier in his career, he spent 15 years at Promontory Financial Group, where he eventually led the firm’s Americas capital markets division. Hennes also holds a degree in history and economics from Vanderbilt University and has publicly discussed prediction market regulation in industry webcasts.

Hennes stated that he is honored to join the Commission and looks forward to supporting the CFTC’s mission of promoting market integrity, innovation, and liquidity across the U.S. derivatives industry.