Brian Quintenz, nominated by Donald Trump to chair the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has disclosed millions in assets and direct ties to several crypto and prediction market firms, according to filings made public by the U.S. Office of Government Ethics.
Quintenz Details Crypto and Market Investments
In a financial disclosure dated May 25, Quintenz revealed over $3.4 million in assets, including equity and options in crypto-related companies. Currently serving as global head of crypto policy at Andreessen Horowitz, he pledged to resign from the role if confirmed.
His investments include interests in three AH Capital Management funds—CNK Fund III, CNK Seed 1 Fund, and CNK IV Fund—and commitments to their general partners.
He also serves on the board of Kalshi, a prediction market platform, where he owns stock and stock options, and holds financial interests in Next Level Derivatives, a brokerage firm focused on finance and lending.
Ethics Plan to Avoid Conflicts of Interest
In a letter to John Einstman, the CFTC’s ethics official, Quintenz pledged to divest or recuse himself from any matters where a conflict of interest exists.
“I will not participate personally and substantially in any particular matter in which I know that I have a financial interest directly and predictably affected by the matter,” Quintenz stated.
He also committed to:
- Resign from all positions and divest assets within 90 days of confirmation.
- Recuse from Andreessen Horowitz matters for two years.
- Recuse from Kalshi-related matters for one year.
- Forfeit unvested stock options in multiple firms.
CFTC Faces Major Leadership Shake-Up
Trump nominated Quintenz in February, and he now awaits Senate confirmation amid a broader reshuffling at the CFTC.
On May 21, Democratic Commissioner Kristin Johnson announced her exit, joining Summer Mersinger and Christy Goldsmith Romero, both stepping down at the end of May. These departures may leave all four CFTC seats vacant later this year.
Quintenz’s nomination comes as the CFTC faces rising scrutiny over its role in crypto regulation and prediction market oversight, with the future direction of the agency hanging in the balance.