Trump Nominates 4 to SEC and CFTC as Crypto Rules Advance

SEC picks would fill the Peirce and Crenshaw seats

Levine was nominated to succeed Hester Peirce, who left the agency in October after leading its Crypto Task Force. The SEC credited Peirce with pushing the commission to spell out how securities law applies to digital assets. Levine’s proposed term ends June 5, 2030. The nomination names him for a commission seat and leaves the task force leadership unaddressed.

Johnson would take the seat previously held by Caroline Crenshaw for a term ending June 5, 2029. She served at the CFTC from 2022 to September 2025 and now teaches at George Washington University Law School. Johnson said in a statement published by the university that she looked forward to applying lessons from her work on the future of financial markets to serving investors.

The SEC roster lists Chair Paul Atkins and Commissioner Mark Uyeda. Confirming both nominees would bring the commission to four of its five seats, assuming both current members remain.

CFTC nominees would join sole commissioner Mike Selig

Anonick was nominated for former Chair Rostin Behnam’s seat for a term ending June 19, 2031. Rowland would serve the rest of former Commissioner Summer Mersinger’s term, which expires April 13, 2028. The CFTC’s roster lists Chair Michael Selig as its only sitting commissioner.

If both nominees are confirmed, the CFTC would have three of its five seats filled. The agency has continued to act under Selig. In November, he announced that perpetual futures on individual stocks could start trading on venues with the required registrations, extending a type of contract widely used in crypto to traditional equities.

The regulators signed a cooperation agreement in March covering markets where their work overlaps. The effort includes coordinating how the agencies review new crypto products and easing differences in how they regulate trading venues and intermediaries.

Senate reviews nominees as crypto rules stay in play

The SEC’s proposed Regulation Crypto Assets would set out two exemptions for certain crypto offerings. One would allow companies to raise up to $75 million in a 12-month period, subject to disclosure, financial statement and reporting requirements.

Congress has yet to settle the broader division of crypto oversight. The Senate voted 49 to 50 in September on a motion to advance the CLARITY Act, falling short of the 60 votes needed. If confirmed, the new commissioners would join agencies still working within their existing authority.

The Crypto Fear & Greed Index fell to 13 on Saturday from 20 on Friday, remaining in Extreme Fear.

The Senate Banking Committee’s Nov. 19 agenda calls for a public hearing for Johnson and Levine. The Senate Agriculture Committee, which received the CFTC nominations, had yet to post a hearing date for Anonick and Rowland. All four still need votes in the full Senate.