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CFTC Names Bitcoin Futures Veteran Amir Zaidi as Chief of Staff

The appointment signals a strengthened push into formal crypto market oversight under Chair Michael Selig.

Overview

  • Chair Michael Selig announced the move on January 1, marking Zaidi’s return to the agency after six years away.
  • Zaidi previously served at the CFTC from 2010 to 2019, leading the Division of Market Oversight and helping launch U.S. Bitcoin futures.
  • He most recently worked as global head of compliance at a major broker-dealer.
  • Congress is advancing digital-asset market-structure legislation that could expand the CFTC’s authority over cryptocurrency markets.
  • Zaidi said he will prioritize promoting innovation alongside strong regulatory oversight during this market transition.