Senators to Grill Trump’s CFTC Nominee Michael Selig on Crypto and Election Betting Plans

U.S. senators are set to question Michael Selig, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), over his views on cryptocurrency regulation and election betting. Selig, currently chief counsel for the SEC’s crypto task force and adviser to Republican SEC chair Paul Atkins, is expected to face scrutiny over the administration’s crypto-friendly stance. Trump has positioned himself as a “crypto president,” backing industry-leaning policies, easing probes into crypto firms, and signing a new framework governing stablecoins.

Lawmakers are also expected to focus on the CLARITY Act, a bill that aims to clearly define when digital assets qualify as commodities or securities. If enacted, the legislation would give the CFTC expanded authority over crypto spot markets. Selig has publicly endorsed stronger U.S. leadership in digital assets, stating on X that he intends to help make America the “Crypto Capital of the World.”

The confirmation hearing comes as the CFTC faces a leadership vacuum, with only one current commissioner, Caroline Pham, who is also serving as acting chair and plans to step down once a new chair is confirmed. Selig will likely be questioned on inter-agency cooperation with the SEC, oversight of event-based betting markets, and the political influence surrounding the withdrawal of previous nominee Brian Quintenz, who claimed prominent crypto donors lobbied to delay his appointment.

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