Trump Pondered Over Quintenz Dismissal as Per Reports Suggested by Winklevoss Twins
In the fast-evolving world of cryptocurrency, the nomination of Brian Quintenz to lead the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has become a contentious issue. Quintenz, a former CFTC commissioner and board member at prediction markets giant Kalshi, was nominated by President Donald Trump in February 2024 to head the CFTC, a federal agency expected to become the main regulator of cryptocurrency activity in the U.S. [1][2]
However, Quintenz's confirmation has been stalled, with cancellations of committee votes needed to advance his nomination to the Senate floor. [1][2] The Winklevoss twins, prominent cryptocurrency industry figures and founders of the Gemini exchange, are publicly opposing Quintenz’s nomination. Their opposition centers on two main issues: perceived conflicts of interest due to Quintenz’s ties with Kalshi, and concerns over his regulatory views, which the twins consider misaligned with the crypto industry's interests. [4]
The twins have expressed "significant concerns" about his suitability to lead the agency during a crucial period for crypto regulation. [4] This opposition is a departure from their previous commentary on Quintenz, with Cameron Winklevoss calling his nomination a "great choice for crypto and for America" in a February post. [3]
The appointment of Quintenz to lead the CFTC is not solely rooted in the Winklevoss twins' objections related to prediction markets, but their dissent is a significant development. Rumors suggest that Quintenz is losing support in the Republican-controlled Senate due to members' growing concerns around prediction markets, such as Kalshi, and how those exchanges could affect regulated gaming options in their home states. [6]
The Winklevoss twins have reached out to President Trump asking for a replacement nominee to lead the CFTC. [7] The Senate Agriculture Committee, which oversees the CFTC nominating process, was supposed to vote on Quintenz on Monday, Aug. 4, but it's believed that plan was stalled at the behest of the White House. [8]
As of August 1, 2025, the confirmation of Brian Quintenz to lead the CFTC remains uncertain, with influential crypto stakeholders like the Winklevoss twins voicing their opposition and raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and regulatory misalignments. [1][2][4][5]
References:
- Politico
- CoinDesk
- Cameron Winklevoss' Twitter Post
- Bloomberg
- The Block
- Axios
- CoinDesk
- The Hill
- The confirmation of Brian Quintenz as the head of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is uncertain, given the opposition from influential stakeholders like the Winklevoss twins over potential conflicts of interest and regulatory misalignments.
- The Winklevoss twins, known for their involvement in the cryptocurrency industry and the Gemini exchange, are voicing significant concerns about Quintenz's suitability to lead the CFTC, citing his ties with prediction markets giant Kalshi and perceived regulatory views misaligned with the crypto industry.
- Quintenz's nomination to lead the CFTC, initially considered a great choice for cryptocurrency and America by the Winklevoss twins, is now facing opposition in the Republican-controlled Senate, with rumors suggesting loss of support over concerns about prediction markets and their impact on regulated gaming options.
- Politics and business intertwine in the cryptocurrency landscape, as evidenced by the conflict surrounding the nomination of Brian Quintenz to head the CFTC, with the unfolding events highlighting the importance of general-news coverage in understanding the complexities of the industry.
