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Brian Quintenz, who leads policy for Andreessen Horowitz\u2019s crypto team, announced on Wednesday that he\u2019s being tapped to head the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), according to his X post<\/a>. And many in the VC industry appear to be thrilled about it.<\/p>\n The CFTC regulates the trading of commodity futures, options, and swaps, otherwise known as derivatives. It is also involved in the enforcement of regulations impacting some crypto.\u00a0<\/p>\n He previously served as a commissioner for the CFTC during the first Trump administration, according to his a16z biography<\/a> and, prior to that, he founded the investment firm Saeculum Capital Management.<\/p>\n He joined a16z in 2021 as an advisory partner before becoming head of policy for its crypto arm.\u00a0<\/p>\n His appointment received support from some big names in the industry. On X, many working for the a16z crypto arm sent their congratulations. <\/p>\n Brian Armstrong, co-founder and CEO of Coinbase, who reportedly met with President Trump<\/a> to discuss staff appointments, posted an X welcoming Quintenz to the CFTC. <\/p>\n Bobby Franklin, president of the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), a lobbying group, released a statement in support of Quintenz\u2019s nomination, saying his government and venture experience will \u201cprovide valuable perspectives as he helms a top regulatory body for the crypto market.\u201d <\/p>\n His pending appointment comes at a time when the CFTC has been mired in controversy. The acting chair, Caroline Pham, recently removed the head of HR, and the agency released a statement<\/a> that made allegations against this person. This after Bloomberg reported<\/a> that there were internal investigations going on at the agency.<\/p>\n Quintenz is the latest affiliate of a16z to find his way to the White House. The firm has become so involved with the Trump administration that co-founder Marc Andreessen, an ardent Trump supporter, is said to be quietly helping with government staff recruitment<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Elsewhere, Sriram Krishnan, former general partner at a16z, is now a White House senior policy advisor; Scott Kupor, one of the firm\u2019s managing partners, was tapped to lead<\/a> the Office of Personnel Management, and Jamie Sullivan<\/a>, another investor at the firm, is rumored to be advising<\/a> DOGE.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n