U.S. CFTC pushes to form 'Innovation Council'… accelerates digital asset regulation

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has established an external advisory body centered on chief executive officers (CEOs) and begun soliciting private-sector input in line with expanded oversight of digital assets. Acting CFTC Chair Caroline Pham is directly leading the effort to speed up regulatory adjustments.

On the 26th (local time), Cointelegraph reported that Chair Pham announced a call for nominations for the 'CEO Innovation Council' and will accept submissions until the 8th of next month. The council will serve to discuss major policy directions such as derivatives, prediction markets, and spot cryptocurrency oversight, aligning with the CFTC's trend toward expanding digital asset regulation.

In a statement, Chair Pham said the CFTC's mission is expanding to new markets and products including cryptocurrencies, and emphasized her intent to respond to industry technological changes from the early stages of regulation by involving private-sector experts. She said, "Industry innovation capacity and perspectives are essential to protect market participants and ensure stability."

The CFTC has recently launched a 'Crypto Sprint' program and has focused on technical and market-structure reviews to reduce regulatory gaps. In particular, as Congress discusses strengthening oversight authority over spot digital asset products, the CFTC's role is expected to grow. Supervisory standards for derivative structures that use cryptocurrencies as collateral or for leveraged spot products are also reported to be further adjusted.

As the selection of the next CFTC chair proceeds, Chair Pham said she plans to step down after the new chair is appointed. The Trump administration has nominated Michael Selig, SEC director, as the next CFTC chair, and a Senate floor vote is pending. Director Selig stated at hearings that "a clear regulatory authority is needed to oversee the spot digital asset market," signaling stronger industry oversight.

With authority adjustments continuing among U.S. regulators, analysts say that if the CFTC launches the Innovation Council, discussion channels among industry, academia, and regulators will be strengthened and policy speed will accelerate.