The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is taking steps to reshape policies on digital assets and emerging markets through a series of public roundtable discussions, as announced by Acting Chair Caroline Pham on January 27.
The planned roundtables will bring together crypto industry leaders and market participants over the coming months to address key issues including affiliated entities, prediction markets, and potential conflicts of interest in evolving market structures.
"The CFTC will get back to basics by hosting staff roundtables that will develop a robust administrative record with studies, data, expert reports, and public input," said Pham. She emphasized that a comprehensive approach to market trends would help establish clear guidelines promoting U.S. economic growth and competitiveness.
The initiative aims to gather insights directly from stakeholders to inform regulatory frameworks while maintaining transparency in the policymaking process. This move builds on Pham's earlier calls for increased public engagement in derivatives market policy implementation.
The announcement comes shortly after commissioners voted Pham as acting chair following the recent presidential transition. Former CFTC Chair Rostin Behnam, who stepped down on January 20, will remain with the commission until February 7. In his parting guidance, Behnam advocated for addressing regulatory gaps in digital assets.
The roundtables align with the new administration's stated goal of positioning America as a global crypto hub. Recent developments include the creation of a digital asset working group and the advancement of the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century bill, which aims to clarify regulatory roles in overseeing cryptocurrency markets.
Through these public discussions, the CFTC seeks to develop well-informed policies that balance innovation with market protection, while maintaining America's competitive edge in the rapidly evolving digital asset space.