The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has invited executives from Coinbase, Ripple, Circle, and Crypto.com to a forum to discuss a pilot digital asset program. The program focuses on tokenized non-cash collateral, especially stablecoins.
CFTC's Digital Asset Forum
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has announced plans to hold a forum with executives from major crypto market players such as Coinbase, Ripple, Circle, and Crypto.com. The discussion will focus on launching a pilot program for digital assets, particularly stablecoins. Details of the meeting, including the date and agenda, will be announced soon, according to the agency's press release.
Regulatory Sandbox Role
As stated by Acting CFTC Chairman Caroline Pham, the forum supports the Trump administration's vision for economic growth through innovation. The press release notes that Pham advocates for a regulatory sandbox to safely test and integrate tokenized collateral into U.S. markets. The CFTC has a history of using such programs since the 1990s to test new ideas under controlled conditions. This was confirmed by the Global Markets Advisory Committee in July 2024.
David Gillers Leaves CFTC
In related news, the CFTC has announced the departure of David Gillers, the Chief of Staff to Commissioner Rostin Behnam. Gillers has been with the agency since 2019 and played a significant role in developing policies on crypto, artificial intelligence, event contracts, cybersecurity, and environmental derivatives. He oversaw the agency's transition out of remote work after the COVID-19 pandemic and managed collaborations with other regulators on digital asset frameworks.
The CFTC forum promises to be a significant step towards innovative and safe use of digital assets in U.S. markets. David Gillers' departure might lead to changes in the agency's approach to cryptocurrency regulation.
