Aptos Labs CEO Joins CFTC Subcommittee Amid Regulatory Shifts

Aptos Labs CEO Avery Ching has been appointed to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) Digital Assets Markets Subcommittee, marking a significant step in the collaboration between regulators and industry leaders in the digital asset space. This appointment was announced in a June 30 post on X by Aptos Labs, highlighting the growing alignment between Washington regulators and crypto industry leaders.

The subcommittee, which operates under the Global Markets Advisory Committee (GMAC), focuses on safeguarding the integrity and competitiveness of U.S. markets, especially as global crypto regulation evolves. Ching will collaborate with other leaders from Web3 and financial services to help shape digital asset regulations. Notable members of the subcommittee include Capitolis CEO Gil Mandelzis, Cargill Global Derivatives Operations Director Samina Anwar, and Uniswap Labs COO Mary-Catherine Lader.

Ching’s appointment comes at a time of significant leadership changes at the CFTC. Four commissioners have recently exited their roles, including Summer Mersinger, who departed to lead the Blockchain Association as its new CEO. Mersinger noted the growing support for digital assets within the government, stating that there is a growing crypto caucus in Congress and an executive branch that sees the inherent benefits of digital assets. Commissioner Caroline Pham is also expected to step down once Brian Quintenz, President Trump’s nominee to head the CFTC, officially takes office. Quintenz previously led the agency from 2017 to 2021 before Kristin M. Johnson assumed his post in March 2022.

The leadership turnover, along with Ching’s appointment and other industry experts joining advisory roles, signals that U.S. regulators may be shifting from an adversarial stance to a more collaborative approach toward blockchain innovation and digital assets. As Ching brings Aptos Labs’ perspective to the federal table, the crypto community will watch closely to see how the subcommittee’s work shapes new policy frameworks that could boost competitiveness and trust in the digital asset markets.

This shift towards collaboration is seen as a positive development for the industry, as it allows for more informed and balanced regulation that takes into account the unique challenges and opportunities presented by digital assets. The inclusion of industry leaders in the regulatory process is expected to lead to more effective and practical regulations that support the growth and development of the digital asset ecosystem.