The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in the United States is moving forward with its second “Crypto Sprint,” an initiative started during President Trump’s time in office. The goal is to speed up the process of creating regulations for the digital asset sector [1]. This effort builds upon a comprehensive White House report from earlier in the year, featuring 18 recommendations, two of which fall directly under the CFTC’s jurisdiction [2]. Acting Chair Caroline D. Pham has stressed the importance of input from various stakeholders in developing effective oversight methods that align with the broader Trump administration’s objectives for digital assets [3].
This second phase of the sprint concentrates on gathering public opinions regarding the regulation of spot crypto trading. Specific attention is being paid to leveraged, margined, or financed retail trading activities conducted on exchanges registered with the CFTC [4]. This sprint is a component of a larger, two-part strategy aimed at establishing regulatory clarity and preparing the market for digital assets. The initial sprint, which took place earlier in the month, investigated how spot crypto asset contracts could be traded on CFTC-regulated futures exchanges [5].
However, uncertainty surrounding leadership at the CFTC has prompted concerns about the agency’s capacity to achieve its goals. The Senate has yet to confirm Brian Quintenz, Trump’s pick for CFTC chair. The agency currently has only two commissioners, Pham and Kristin N. Johnson, with Johnson anticipated to leave later this year. The absence of a confirmed chair and the departure of several senior commissioners has led to a leadership gap, which advocacy groups have identified as a possible obstacle to regulatory progress [6].
The White House report urged the CFTC to provide more specific guidance on classifying cryptocurrencies as commodities. It also called for addressing DeFi compliance with registration requirements and outlining permissible activities within the crypto space for entities regulated by the CFTC [7]. The report’s second recommendation emphasized amending existing rules to better accommodate blockchain-based derivatives, while the remaining 16 recommendations required collaboration with the Treasury and the SEC [8].
Separately, Pennsylvania State Representative Ben Waxman has proposed legislation designed to prevent public officials from benefiting financially from cryptocurrency while in office [9]. His proposed bill, HB1812, would prohibit elected officials from initiating, promoting, or trading tokens in which they have a financial stake. If enacted, the bill would mandate that officials divest their crypto holdings within 90 days and would impose penalties, including fines or imprisonment, for violations. Waxman cited concerns about conflicts of interest, especially regarding Trump’s involvement in crypto ventures, as a primary motivation [10].
The public consultation period for the CFTC’s second sprint will remain open until October 20, 2025, allowing industry participants to contribute to shaping the future regulatory framework [11]. This aligns with the broader administration’s efforts to encourage innovation in digital asset markets, including the passing into law of the GENIUS Act by President Trump on July 18, 2025 [12].
This regulatory push signifies a marked departure from the approaches of prior administrations, as both the CFTC and SEC are now working to accommodate crypto integration rather than taking an opposing stance [13]. This collaborative strategy is viewed as a strategic move to position the United States as a global leader in digital asset markets while simultaneously protecting investors [14].
Source:
[1] CLS Blue Sky Blog, [https://clsbluesky.law.columbia.edu/2025/08/22/davis-polk-discusses-cryptos-integration-into-the-traditional-financial-system/](https://clsbluesky.law.columbia.edu/2025/08/22/davis-polk-discusses-cryptos-integration-into-the-traditional-financial-system/)
[2] Coinpaper, [https://coinpaper.com/10659/cftc-kicks-off-second-crypto-sprint-under-trump](https://coinpaper.com/10659/cftc-kicks-off-second-crypto-sprint-under-trump)
[3] Coinpedia, [https://coinpedia.org/news/cftc-launches-crypto-sprint-with-public-consultation-open-until-october-20-2025/](https://coinpedia.org/news/cftc-launches-crypto-sprint-with-public-consultation-open-until-october-20-2025/)
[4] AInvest, [https://www.ainvest.com/news/cftc-launches-crypto-sprint-shape-spot-market-regulation-2508/](https://www.ainvest.com/news/cftc-launches-crypto-sprint-shape-spot-market-regulation-2508/)
[5] CCN.com, [https://www.ccn.com/news/crypto/cftc-crypto-sprint-deliver-trumps-vision-us-leadership-digital-assets/](https://www.ccn.com/news/crypto/cftc-crypto-sprint-deliver-trumps-vision-us-leadership-digital-assets/)