U.S. Senate Approves Pro-crypto Lawyer as CFTC Chair

In Brief

• Pro-crypto lawyer Michael Selig has been confirmed as the new CFTC chairman.
• His appointment his been received positively in the crypto space with expectations of support.
• Democratic lawmakers have expressed reservations about his nomination, citing potential bias.

Shedrach Kongvong 2025-12-19

As crypto regulation in the U.S. heats up, the Trump administration is making fresh future-defining appointments. The senate has just approved the appointment of a crypto-friendly legal expert as the head of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which is getting mixed reactions.

The newly approved chairman, Mike Selig has received congratulations from X users confirming his appointment after he met with the U.S. senate. Also, in an official press release on December 18th, the chairman of Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry John Boozman (R-AR) confirmed the appointment. Saying he looked forward to working with Selig.

Congratulations @MikeSeligEsq on your confirmation to lead @CFTC. Mike is exceptionally well-suited for the role. His experience in crypto and as a federal regulator will ensure that America’s crypto market is governed with fairness, clarity and an abiding commitment to the law.… https://t.co/6NXWE8asAN

— Faryar Shirzad 🛡️ (@faryarshirzad) December 19, 2025

Selig’s Professional History

Michael Selig, a lawyer, began his regulatory career at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in 2014. Since he began his career at the commission, he has also done private practice, advising major firms, financial institutions, trading platforms, and digital-asset firms on compliance with securities and commodities laws.

Based on his wide experience working with crypto startups and his public comments, he’s being described as a pro-crypto lawyer that has been supportive of digital assets. Before now, he has also served as chief counsel to the SEC’s Crypto Task Force. A role centered on digital-asset regulation, and has extensive experience advising crypto firms.

Selig spoke publicly in favor of supporting president Donald Trump in making the U.S. the crypto capital of the world. Which further confirms his pro-crypto stance and his support for technological innovation.

I am honored to be nominated by President Trump to serve as the 16th Chairman of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. With the President’s leadership, a Great Golden Age for America’s Financial Markets and a Wealth of New Opportunities stand before us. I pledge to work… https://t.co/cO2vLBAv0z

— Mike Selig (@MichaelSelig) October 25, 2025

With this professional background, the crypto space is rejoicing on his appointment with the hope that he will bring constructive regulatory decisions to the table. He’s also known for his stance for fraud protection and enforcement against abuse. Therefore, he’ll likely bring more innovation-oriented rules for cryptocurrency rather than restrictive enforcement approaches that characterized the previous administration.

Democrats Express Reservations on Selig

Selig’s pro-crypto stance may have earned him goodwill with crypto fans, but not with Democrat senators. The subject of crypto and prediction markets dominated his nomination hearing, during which Democrat senators expressed concerns about his ability to make unbiased decisions about regulation in these areas.

Democrat congressmen have also been concerned about crypto and made attempts to curb its abuse. One of them, Ro Khanna , in October proposed a bill to bar public office holders like president Trump and their families from having anything to do with crypto.