Former Republican Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Commissioner and current policy director of a16z's digital asset division a16z Crypto, Brian Quintenz, is reported to be a strong contender for the new CFTC chairman position. If he successfully takes office, he is expected to promote more transparent and friendly cryptocurrency regulatory policies. (Background: The Trump administration is rumored to let 'CFTC take the lead on cryptocurrency regulation,' weakening the SEC, with the crypto dad becoming a popular candidate for crypto czar) (Additional context: CFTC 'approves tokenized' derivatives markets with non-cash collateral, accelerating the embrace of blockchain) According to Bloomberg, former Republican Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Commissioner and current policy director of a16z's digital asset division a16z Crypto, Brian Quintenz, has become a strong competitor for the CFTC chairman position. He has interviewed for the position, and under Trump's leadership, if he takes office, significant changes in cryptocurrency regulation are expected. Insiders indicate that the Trump team has completed the interview process for the CFTC chair position and is expected to announce the candidate in the coming days. Previously, it was reported that Republican CFTC Commissioner Summer Mersinger and Caroline Pham, as well as lawyers and former CFTC officials Joshua Sterling and Neal Kumar, are all under consideration. If Brian Quintenz is selected, he will become a bridge between digital assets and traditional finance. Before joining the CFTC, he founded and led the hedge fund Saeculum Capital Management and worked on Capitol Hill. During his first term as CFTC commissioner under the Trump administration, Brian Quintenz promoted the CFTC's acceptance of new financial service companies, including digital asset derivatives and event contract trading. After stepping down as CFTC commissioner in 2021 and joining a16z, he continued to advocate for friendlier regulatory policies, including joining the board of Kalshi, one of the first decentralized prediction markets regulated by the CFTC. In recent years, the CFTC has intensified its regulatory efforts on the cryptocurrency market, including strengthening enforcement against trading platforms and DeFi protocols, imposing fines on platforms like BitMEX and Binance, and accusing DeFi protocols like Uniswap Labs and Opyn of operating without registration. If Brian Quintenz takes over as CFTC chairman, he may promote more transparent and friendly regulatory policies that balance market stability with the need for innovation. Extended reading: Gary Gensler questions CFTC's inability to regulate cryptocurrency, with staff numbers less than 20% of the SEC's. Will the CFTC take the lead in cryptocurrency regulation? Bloomberg pointed out that in the U.S. cryptocurrency industry, the CFTC is considered the preferred regulatory agency for cryptocurrency exchanges and other companies. The cryptocurrency industry is seeking Congress and regulators to clearly define whether its products or services are governed by the CFTC or the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and to guide how they can comply. Last month, it was reported that the Trump administration plans to let the CFTC take the lead on cryptocurrency regulation, weakening the SEC's jurisdiction. Trump's senior advisors believe that relaxing regulations is necessary to stimulate innovation in the cryptocurrency business, including transformative blockchain technology, which can eliminate costly intermediaries in business transactions. Brian Quintenz co-authored an article last month with a16z colleagues discussing the impact of the U.S. election on the future of cryptocurrency, emphasizing that the fundamental regulatory principles applicable to blockchain systems remain unchanged, regardless of progress made under new legislation or adjusted regulatory environments. Regulatory scrutiny by regulators and policymakers on certain aspects of the industry will continue to exist. Related reports: Trump's Polymarket win rate far exceeds Kamala Harris's 28%, CFTC calls for legislative regulation to learn from Taiwan in capturing gamblers and shutting down domains? Jump Crypto reportedly under investigation by U.S. CFTC for manipulating the Terra market? The U.S. election brings a wave of cryptocurrency gambling, CFTC warns: will become a public interest crisis "a16z's crypto policy director is expected to take over as CFTC chairman, who is Brian Quintenz? What is his regulatory stance?" This article was first published in BlockTempo (the most influential blockchain news media).