Rostin Behnam, chair of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), will resign on January 20 after a four-year tenure characterized by significant enforcement actions in the crypto industry and strong calls for improved regulatory supervision. Behnam, who oversaw critical cases including a $4.3 billion settlement with Binance, expressed concerns over inadequate regulatory oversight in digital assets, highlighting a large portion of the market remains unregulated in the US. He emphasized the urgent need for enhanced oversight to address the growing adoption of crypto and maintain market integrity. During his leadership, the CFTC finalized guidelines for carbon offset trading and expanded its regulatory reach in the digital asset domain. Behnam identified a regulatory gap, suggesting many digital tokens likely qualify as commodities under CFTC jurisdiction. As he departs, he urged his successor to renew focus on clear regulations regarding what is permissible in the crypto market, hinting at potential candidates like Brian Quintenz, a former CFTC commissioner who advocates for financial innovation in digital assets.

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