Winklevoss Twins Urge Trump to Withdraw Quintenz CFTC Nomination Over Crypto Concerns

The Winklevoss twins, Tyler and Cameron, have publicly opposed the nomination of Brian Quintenz to lead the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), urging President Donald Trump to withdraw his support. In their view, Quintenz lacks the visionary leadership needed to advance crypto regulation in the United States. The pushback comes as Quintenz’s nomination was set to move to the Senate for confirmation, marking a significant and unexpected intervention from the influential crypto advocates [1].

The Winklevoss brothers, who co-founded the Gemini crypto exchange, have criticized Quintenz for his support of increasing the CFTC’s budget without a clear plan for regulatory reform in the crypto space. They argue that this approach does not align with the administration’s goal of positioning the U.S. as a leader in digital asset regulation. The White House reportedly received a last-minute phone call from the twins before the Senate Agriculture Committee vote, where they emphasized Quintenz’s record of “complacency” over leadership [2].

Adding to the controversy, emails have surfaced suggesting Quintenz had engaged in discussions about prediction markets, an area under CFTC oversight. Meanwhile, Quintenz’s current role on the board of Kalshi, a betting platform regulated by the CFTC, has raised ethical concerns on Capitol Hill. Tyler Winklevoss has pointed out the contradiction between Quintenz’s affiliations and the administration’s deregulatory ambitions, calling for the withdrawal of his nomination [3].

Despite the pressure, Trump has not yet rescinded his support for Quintenz, though internal administration discussions about reconsidering the nomination appear to be ongoing. The White House has confirmed that the CFTC vote in the committee was delayed, reportedly due to the Winklevoss intervention. However, Quintenz still has influential allies within the White House, and his nomination remains a subject of debate [4].

The CFTC is increasingly central to the regulatory landscape for digital assets, and the outcome of this nomination could shape the direction of U.S. crypto policy for years to come. The Winklevoss twins’ public campaign reflects the growing influence of the crypto community in Washington, particularly as Trump’s administration seeks to define its stance on digital assets. The debate highlights the tension between regulatory caution and the need for innovation in a fast-evolving market [5].

Source:

[1] Mitrade

[2] AInvest

[3] MSN

[4] Cryptonews

[5] Politico