The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission has appointed 35 members to its new Innovation Advisory Committee, bringing together leading cryptocurrency executives, venture capital investors, and traditional market operators to help guide oversight of blockchain and artificial intelligence in financial markets.
CFTC Forms 35-Member Innovation Advisory Committee
The committee was formally announced on February 12, 2026, by CFTC Chair Michael S. Selig. It replaces the former Technology Advisory Committee and expands the agency’s engagement with emerging technologies.
I’m excited to announce the members of the @CFTC Innovation Advisory Committee. The IAC’s broad financial sector insights will help the CFTC future-proof its markets and develop clear rules of the road for the Golden Age of American Financial Markets.https://t.co/vv0sC8Mr1v?
— Mike Selig (@ChairmanSelig) February 12, 2026
According to the CFTC, the panel will advise on commercial, economic, and practical considerations tied to new products and platforms. The focus includes blockchain infrastructure, artificial intelligence systems, and evolving derivatives markets.
Selig said the committee would help the agency align regulatory decisions with market realities. He added that the initiative aims to create clear rules suited to modern financial innovation.
Crypto Executives Take Prominent Seats
A large share of the 35 advisers come directly from the cryptocurrency sector. Among them are executives from major exchanges, blockchain networks, and decentralized finance platforms.
Here is the full roster of the @CFTC Innovation Advisory Committee.👇 pic.twitter.com/J8YwpXQ8I9
— Mike Selig (@ChairmanSelig) February 12, 2026
Members include Brian Armstrong, chief executive of Coinbase, and Brad Garlinghouse, chief executive of Ripple. Also appointed is Anatoly Yakovenko of Solana Labs.
Other blockchain leaders include Sergey Nazarov of Chainlink Labs and Hayden Adams of Uniswap Labs.
Exchange operators such as Tyler Winklevoss of Gemini, Kris Marszalek of Crypto.com, and executives from Kraken and Bullish were also named.
Venture Capital and Investment Firms Represented
The advisory body also includes major venture capital figures active in digital assets. Their participation reflects the growing intersection of capital markets and blockchain development.
Among them is Chris Dixon of Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto division. Representatives from Framework Ventures and Paradigm were also listed.
Venture capital leaders from a16z Crypto, Framework Ventures, and Paradigm contribute expertise to the advisory committee.
Investment and asset management firms appear on the roster as well. Executives from Grayscale and Anchorage Digital will contribute perspectives from custody and digital asset management services.
The inclusion of venture and asset managers signals that policy discussions will extend beyond trading platforms. Capital formation and infrastructure services are also expected to feature in committee discussions.
Traditional Market Operators Join the Panel
The CFTC’s committee is not limited to crypto-native firms. Executives from established financial institutions are also part of the group.
Representatives from Nasdaq, CME Group, and Cboe Global Markets were appointed. The Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation and the Options Clearing Corporation also have representation.
Executives from established exchanges including Nasdaq, CME Group, and Cboe Global Markets participate in the advisory committee.
This mix connects digital asset innovators with operators of long-standing derivatives and equity markets. As a result, regulatory discussions may integrate new technologies into established frameworks.
The structure aims to reduce regulatory overlap between agencies. Coordination with the Securities and Exchange Commission is already underway through a joint effort known as Project Crypto.
Prediction Market Leaders Included
Prediction market platforms also secured seats on the committee. At least five members are tied to event contract trading services.
Founders from Polymarket and Kalshi were appointed. Their participation follows increased regulatory attention toward event-based derivatives and forecasting platforms.
Founders of Polymarket and Kalshi bring experience from prediction markets to the CFTC committee. [Vanity Fair]
The CFTC has previously overseen certain forms of event contracts. Therefore, input from these firms may guide how such products are structured under federal commodities laws.
Executives from online brokerage platforms, including Robinhood, are also on the list. This broadens the discussion to retail market access and digital trading infrastructure.
Selig Signals Shift Toward Structured Engagement
Chair Selig described the committee’s formation as an energising step for the agency. In remarks shared publicly, he said the panel would help “future-proof” CFTC markets.
His statements were circulated widely on social media, including posts referencing the “Golden Age of American Financial Markets.” The comments framed the initiative as part of a broader modernisation effort.
The committee’s launch follows signals that the CFTC intends to adopt a more receptive posture toward crypto innovation. Selig has indicated that collaboration with industry participants can support clearer regulatory standards.
At the same time, the CFTC said it would continue to consider views from academia, public interest groups, and other regulatory bodies. The advisory group is one channel among several informing agency policy.
Also Read: Bannerman Energy Ltd Secures US$294.5M CNNC Investment to Fund Etango Development
Advisory Role and Next Steps
The Innovation Advisory Committee will provide non-binding guidance to the CFTC. It will not draft regulations directly but will offer input on emerging products and technologies.
Topics expected to be discussed include decentralised finance systems, artificial intelligence-driven trading models, and blockchain settlement infrastructure. These areas are increasingly present in derivatives markets.
The committee’s creation reflects growing regulatory attention on digital assets within U.S. financial oversight. With 20 members tied to crypto firms, industry expertise forms a central component of the advisory process.
As the panel begins its work, coordination with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Project Crypto remains ongoing. The outcome may shape how federal agencies approach digital asset supervision in the coming years.
FAQs
Q1: What is the CFTC Innovation Advisory Committee?
Ans. The CFTC Innovation Advisory Committee is a 35-member advisory panel established by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. It provides guidance on emerging technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence in financial markets.
Q2: Who are the major crypto executives on the CFTC committee?
Ans. The committee includes executives such as Brian Armstrong of Coinbase, Brad Garlinghouse of Ripple, Anatoly Yakovenko of Solana Labs, Sergey Nazarov of Chainlink Labs, and Hayden Adams of Uniswap Labs.
Q3: Why did the CFTC replace the Technology Advisory Committee?
Ans. The CFTC replaced the Technology Advisory Committee to broaden its focus on innovation. The new committee covers digital assets, AI systems, decentralized finance, and evolving derivatives markets.
Q4: What is Project Crypto?
Ans. Project Crypto is a joint initiative between the CFTC and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. It aims to coordinate regulatory approaches to digital assets and modernize oversight frameworks.
Q5: How many crypto-related members are on the committee?
Ans. Out of 35 members, 20 are tied to cryptocurrency-related companies. At least five members are linked to prediction market platforms.
Q6: What role will the committee play in crypto regulation?
Ans. The committee will provide non-binding guidance to the CFTC. It will advise on policy considerations for blockchain infrastructure, AI-driven trading, decentralized finance, and digital asset derivatives.
Q7: Are traditional financial institutions represented on the panel?
Ans. Yes. Executives from Nasdaq, CME Group, Cboe Global Markets, and other established financial institutions are part of the advisory body.
Q8: Does the committee create new laws?
Ans. No. The committee does not draft laws or regulations. It provides recommendations and industry perspectives to support the CFTC’s policy development process.
