📅 October 24 | Washington, D.C., USA
In a move that could redefine the relationship between the United States government and the cryptocurrency industry, President Donald Trump appointed Michael Selig, a renowned lawyer specializing in crypto regulation, as the new chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
📖 The announcement comes after months of speculation about who would assume the leadership of the CFTC, one of the key agencies regulating derivatives and financial products linked to cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ether.
Michael Selig, a former advisor to the CFTC and current partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher, has been a public advocate for regulatory clarity surrounding digital assets.
Throughout his career, he has argued that crypto innovation should not be stifled by legal ambiguity, but rather guided by coherent rules that boost US competitiveness.
According to sources close to the White House, the selection of Michael Selig “reflects the Trump administration's commitment to a pro-crypto and pro-market policy,” aligned with recent efforts in Congress to expedite legislation on stablecoins and ETFs.
“Michael Selig understands the technology, the market, and the regulatory challenges better than almost anyone in Washington,” an official told Bloomberg.
The appointment comes as the CFTC disputes jurisdiction with the SEC over who should oversee digital tokens. With Michael Selig at the helm, a more aggressive stance is expected in expanding the CFTC's jurisdiction over digital assets, partially displacing the SEC from Gary Gensler, who has been harshly criticized for his hostile approach to the industry.
Furthermore, the appointment reinforces the new Trump administration's narrative: turning the United States into the global center of blockchain innovation.
In parallel, analysts anticipate that Michael Selig's arrival could accelerate the approval of future crypto financial products, including derivatives ETFs and tokenized contracts.
Topic Opinion:
Michael Selig's technical and pro-innovation profile can balance the regulatory scales that for too long have been skewed toward repression rather than development. If he manages to coordinate with Congress and the Treasury, we could be facing a new era of regulatory clarity and international competitiveness for the blockchain ecosystem. But the key will be balance: protecting investors without stifling innovation.
💬 Do you think Michael Selig will bring a new pro-crypto era to the United States?
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