CFTC Launches Second Crypto Sprint on Spot Trading
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has launched its second crypto sprint to gather public comments on spot crypto trading regulation. The crypto sprint will collect feedback on retail leverage, margin and financing on CFTC-registered exchanges through an October 20 deadline.
Acting Chair Caroline D. Pham says stakeholder input is essential for shaping the agency’s oversight approach and implementing two key recommendations from the White House digital asset report: classifying cryptocurrencies as commodities and updating rules for blockchain-based derivatives.
This sprint follows an earlier effort exploring spot crypto contracts on futures platforms. It also comes amid leadership uncertainty, as President Trump’s nominee Brian Quintenz awaits Senate confirmation and Commissioner Kristin N. Johnson plans to step down later this year.
Separately, Pennsylvania lawmaker Ben Waxman introduced a bill to bar public officials from profiting more than $1,000 in crypto during their term and one year after, with penalties up to $50,000 or five years in prison.
Neutral
The launch of the second crypto sprint underscores the CFTC’s effort to enhance regulatory clarity on spot crypto trading. In the short term, the initiative is unlikely to move prices as it focuses on gathering public feedback rather than immediate enforcement. Over the long term, clearer rules on retail leverage, margin and commodity classification could bolster market stability and investor confidence. However, ongoing leadership uncertainty and potential new restrictions from the proposed public-officials bill may dampen sentiment. The balanced mix of regulatory engagement and uncertain outcomes points to a neutral impact on crypto prices.