Brian Quintenz, who leads coverage for Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto workforce, introduced on Wednesday that he’s being tapped to go the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), in response to his X publish. And many within the VC business seem like thrilled about it.
The CFTC regulates the buying and selling of commodity futures, choices, and swaps, in any other case referred to as derivatives. It can also be concerned within the enforcement of laws impacting some crypto.
He beforehand served as a commissioner for the CFTC throughout the first Trump administration, in response to his a16z biography and, previous to that, he based the funding agency Saeculum Capital Management.
He joined a16z in 2021 as an advisory companion earlier than changing into head of coverage for its crypto arm.
His appointment acquired assist from some huge names within the business. On X, many working for the a16z crypto arm despatched their congratulations.
Brian Armstrong, co-founder and CEO of Coinbase, who reportedly met with President Trump to debate workers appointments, posted an X welcoming Quintenz to the CFTC.
Bobby Franklin, president of the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), a lobbying group, launched an announcement in assist of Quintenz’s nomination, saying his authorities and enterprise expertise will “present precious views as he helms a high regulatory physique for the crypto market.”
His pending appointment comes at a time when the CFTC has been mired in controversy. The appearing chair, Caroline Pham, not too long ago eliminated the pinnacle of HR, and the company launched an announcement that made allegations towards this particular person. This after Bloomberg reported that there have been inner investigations happening on the company.
Quintenz is the newest affiliate of a16z to search out his solution to the White House. The agency has develop into so concerned with the Trump administration that co-founder Marc Andreessen, an ardent Trump supporter, is alleged to be quietly serving to with authorities workers recruitment.
Elsewhere, Sriram Krishnan, former normal companion at a16z, is now a White House senior coverage advisor; Scott Kupor, one of many agency’s managing companions, was tapped to guide the Office of Personnel Management, and Jamie Sullivan, one other investor on the agency, is rumored to be advising DOGE.
