CFTC Appoints Innovation Task Force Team to Oversee Crypto and AI Developments

Highlights:

• CFTC named the first members of its Innovation Task Force to guide emerging technology regulation.
• The group will help shape clearer rules for crypto, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and prediction markets.
• Officials said the task force aims to support responsible innovation and keep U.S. markets competitive.

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has named the first staff members of its new Innovation Task Force, a group that will help shape regulatory policy for fast-growing areas including crypto assets, blockchain technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and prediction markets. The agency announced the team on Friday and said the task force will work across the Commission to build a clearer framework for companies developing new products in these areas.

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The task force is led by Michael J. Passalacqua and includes staff drawn from different CFTC divisions and offices, along with people who bring private-sector experience in digital assets, financial regulation, and emerging technologies. Chairman Michael S. Selig said the group brings together deep expertise and a shared commitment to creating “clear rules of the road” for American innovators.

.@CFTC Announces Innovation Task Force Staff: https://t.co/NvJq04fGlZ

— CFTC (@CFTC) April 10, 2026

Innovation Task Force Team Brings Legal and Market Expertise

The CFTC also named the first group of senior advisors who will be part of the task force. The first group includes Hank Balaban, Sam Canavos, Mark Fajfar, Eugene Gonzalez IV, and Dina Moussa.

Earlier in his career, Balaban was part of Latham & Watkins, where his work focused on digital assets and emerging businesses. Canavos previously worked at Patomak Global Partners, advising firms on U.S. regulatory issues related to new technologies like crypto and prediction markets.

Fajfar joins from within the CFTC, where he spent more than a decade in the Office of the General Counsel handling legal work. Earlier in his career, he also worked as special counsel at Fried Frank, focusing on financial regulation.

Before taking on this role, Gonzalez worked at Sidley Austin, where he was part of the firm’s blockchain and fintech practice.

Moussa comes from the CFTC’s Market Participants Division, where she serves as special counsel. The agency also said she previously clerked on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and earlier worked in private practice at Cozen O’Connor in its white collar defense practice group.

CFTC Expands Its Push for Clearer Market Rules

The staffing announcement comes after the formal launch of the Innovation Task Force on 24 March. At that time, Chairman Selig stated that the group would help create clear rules for innovators in U.S. derivatives markets. 

“By establishing a clear regulatory framework for innovators building on the new frontier of finance, we can foster responsible innovation at home and ensure American market participants are not left on the sidelines,” he said.

The CFTC also mentioned that the task force would work with other federal agencies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and its Crypto Task Force, on projects related to innovation.

Excited to lead the new @CFTC Innovation Task Force.

Under @ChairmanSelig, the ITF will provide clarity to builders by advancing the @CFTC’s innovation agenda across crypto, AI, & PMs.

Clear rules of the road will ensure the new frontier of finance is built in the US 🇺🇸 https://t.co/Dipu0lcMaI

— Michael Passalacqua (@passalacqua_mj) March 24, 2026

For crypto firms, the recent announcement does not introduce any new rules or enforcement actions. However, it shows that the agency is building a dedicated team around policy work in areas that have become more important across U.S. markets.

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