CFTC Commissioner Christy Goldsmith Romero to Step Down as Trump’s Pick Takes Over

The CFTC is set for a major leadership change, as Commissioner Christy Goldsmith Romero has announced her plans to step down once President Donald Trump’s nominee, Brian Quintenz, is confirmed by Congress. Romero, who has served since 2022 after being appointed by President Joe Biden, made her intentions clear in a Feb. 25 statement shared with Reuters.

Quintenz, currently the global head of policy at venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz, has been tapped to replace both Romero and acting chair Caroline Pham. However, his confirmation still hinges on Senate approval, with no vote scheduled yet. If confirmed, his appointment would leave Kristin Johnson as the only Democrat on the five-member commission, as CFTC rules prohibit more than three commissioners from belonging to the same political party.

Goldsmith Romero’s Legacy in Crypto Regulation

During her tenure at the CFTC, Goldsmith Romero played a key role in revamping the agency’s approach to digital assets. She was instrumental in re-establishing the Technology Advisory Committee, which sought to guide regulatory responses to the rapidly evolving crypto industry.

Perhaps most notably, she was a strong supporter of the agency’s lawsuit against Binance and its former CEO, Changpeng “CZ” Zhao. In March 2023, the CFTC accused Binance of illegally offering derivatives trading to U.S. customers. The case ultimately resulted in a massive settlement, with Binance agreeing to pay $2.7 billion and CZ personally fined $150 million.

Goldsmith Romero’s departure signals a shift in the regulatory landscape, with her successor likely bringing a different perspective on cryptocurrency oversight.

Pro-Crypto Quintenz Set to Take Charge

Quintenz is no stranger to the CFTC, having previously served as a commissioner from 2017 to 2021 under the first Trump administration. His stance on digital assets has been consistently favorable, advocating for the integration of crypto derivatives within the agency’s regulatory framework.

Even after leaving the CFTC, he remained vocal about crypto regulation. Last March, he criticized the SEC’s handling of Ethereum’s legal status, calling the agency’s stance inconsistent after it approved Ether futures ETFs in late 2023.