Winklevoss Twins Press Trump to Withdraw CFTC Nominee Over Crypto Stance

Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, prominent cryptocurrency advocates and Trump supporters, directly approached President Donald Trump over the weekend to withdraw Brian Quintenz from consideration as the next chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) [1]. The call reportedly took place as the Senate Agriculture Committee was preparing to advance Quintenz’s nomination, but the administration stalled the vote following the intervention [3]. The Winklevoss twins argued that Quintenz, despite his prior experience at the CFTC, did not align with the regulatory direction they believe is necessary for the crypto industry [1]. They criticized his perceived complacency and questioned whether he would implement the sweeping changes needed to modernize the agency [1].

The Winklevoss brothers were particularly concerned about Quintenz’s past support for expanding the CFTC’s budget to handle increased crypto oversight, viewing this as an impediment to regulatory clarity and innovation [1]. Their advocacy for a more crypto-friendly CFTC chair is rooted in a broader push for lighter regulation and clearer guidance for digital assets. Despite their initial public praise for Quintenz when he was first nominated in February, the twins have since reversed their stance, reflecting a shift in their assessment of his suitability for the role [3].

The conflict also resurfaces tensions between the Winklevoss-founded exchange Gemini and the CFTC. Earlier this year, Gemini agreed to a $5 million settlement over misleading claims regarding one of its crypto products. In response, the company criticized the CFTC’s handling of the case, accusing agency attorneys of acting with a “selfish desire to advance their careers” [1]. Although the Winklevosses have not publicly tied their current concerns to this prior disagreement, the timing suggests a lingering distrust of the agency and those with close ties to it [1].

Quintenz, a former CFTC commissioner and former policy advisor at Andreessen Horowitz, had previously drawn strong support from both traditional finance and crypto circles. His background in venture capital and his role on the board of prediction market startup Kalshi were seen as assets for navigating the complex intersection of traditional and digital finance [1]. However, the Winklevoss intervention has shifted the narrative, with internal White House figures reportedly divided over whether to maintain the nomination [3]. While a White House spokesperson reaffirmed Quintenz as Trump’s nominee, the delay signals a potential rift in the administration’s approach to crypto regulation [4].

The outcome of this dispute could have lasting implications for how the CFTC is positioned to handle the growing influence of digital assets. Trump’s plan to grant the agency direct oversight of major crypto tokens like bitcoin and ether makes the choice of chair a critical decision [1]. The Winklevoss twins, as major voices in the crypto space, are pushing for a leadership that prioritizes innovation and a reformed regulatory culture [1]. Whether Trump ultimately withdraws or retains Quintenz remains uncertain, but the episode underscores the rising influence of crypto investors in shaping financial policy within the administration [3].

Source:

[1] Winklevoss brothers pressed Trump to dump pick for top ... (https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/30/winklevoss-brothers-trump-wall-street-regulator-quintenz-00485801)

[2] Winklevoss twins stopped Trump from appointing Brian ... (https://www.cryptopolitan.com/winklevoss-twins-trump-quintenzs-cftc/)

[3] White House Seeks 'Swift Confirmation' of Brian Quintenz for CFTC (https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/white-house-seeks-swift-confirmation-of-brian-quintenz-for-cftc/ar-AA1JCn3D?ocid=finance-verthp-feeds)

[4] Declan Harty (@declanharty) / X (https://x.com/declanharty?lang=en)