White House Considers Josh Sterling, Paul Atkins for CFTC Chair Amid Quintenz Nomination Delays

The White House is vetting multiple candidates for the chairmanship of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) after the nomination of Brian Quintenz has stalled in the Senate. Josh Sterling, a former CFTC commissioner and current partner at Milbank representing prediction market Kalshi, is a leading contender, bringing expertise in financial regulation and derivatives markets. Another potential candidate is Paul Atkins, the current chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), who is being considered for an unprecedented dual role overseeing both the SEC and CFTC, though this raises legal questions under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The administration may also explore a "shadow chair" arrangement for Atkins, allowing him to influence CFTC decisions without formally holding the chair title. Quintenz’s nomination has faced opposition from influential crypto figures, including the Winklevoss twins, and the White House has paused action on his confirmation, seeking alternatives amid evolving regulatory responsibilities over digital assets and prediction markets. This leadership uncertainty comes as the CFTC plays an increasingly central role in crypto regulation and faces pressure from industry stakeholders.