The White House believes momentum is building toward clearer U.S. cryptocurrency regulation, especially after the Senate’s confirmation of Michael Selig as chair of the CFTC.
In a post on X on Monday, David Sacks, President Donald Trump’s AI and crypto czar, said the United States has reached a pivotal moment in shaping oversight of digital assets.
He described Selig and SEC Chair Paul Atkins as a “dream team” capable of establishing consistent regulatory standards across agencies.
His remarks underscored a shift in tone from the administration. Rather than fragmented oversight, he suggested that aligned leadership at the CFTC and SEC could help regulators move in the same direction and provide long-sought clarity for the crypto market.
Sacks’ comments came in response to a separate post by Selig, who pointed to growing legislative momentum on Capitol Hill. Selig said that Congress is preparing to complete work on a long-awaited bill on digital asset market structure.
In his post on X, Selig linked the urgency to market conditions. He cited rapid technological development and record participation by retail investors in commodity markets. He also noted lawmakers aim to send legislation to the president for approval.
Extraordinarily excited to have the leadership of @MichaelSelig as Chair of CFTC at this critical juncture for digital assets. Along with SEC Chair @SECPaulSAtkins, President Trump has created a dream team to define clear regulatory guidelines for the 21st century. https://t.co/HqeFnFSJcH
— David Sacks (@davidsacks47) December 22, 2025
Market Structure Bill Nears Next Stage
The proposed framework, known in the Senate as the Responsible Financial Innovation Act, builds on the CLARITY Act, which the House of Representatives passed in July.
Although the bill remains under consideration in the U.S. Senate, progress paused during the holiday recess. However, attention is now shifting to early January, when the Senate Banking Committee is expected to hold a markup. If approved, the legislation could advance to a full Senate vote.
As lawmakers review the bill, its implications for federal regulators are drawing increased scrutiny. Draft versions suggest that the CFTC would assume expanded authority over digital assets, an area traditionally overseen by the SEC.
Nevertheless, support for the legislation is not uniform. Some Republican leaders favor advancing the legislation, while other senators have raised concerns, particularly around decentralized finance. Consequently, those disagreements could influence the bill’s timeline and final form.
Senate Confirms Michael Selig
Against this legislative backdrop, the Senate confirmed Michael Selig last week in a 53–43 vote. Accordingly, acting CFTC Chair Caroline Pham will step down following Selig’s confirmation. Notably, Pham is reportedly set to join crypto payments firm MoonPay.
With new leadership emerging and major legislation approaching review, U.S. crypto regulation is entering a critical phase. The administration’s confidence hinges on closer coordination between the CFTC and SEC, as well as continued progress in Congress.