CFTC Chair Launches Innovation Advisory Committee, Calls for Nominations

TLDR

• Michael Selig, CFTC Chair, announces the launch of the newly named Innovation Advisory Committee to focus on financial technology.
• The committee will feature members from diverse sectors like finance, fintech, academia, and regulators, with the CEO Innovation Council as charter members.
• Public nominations for additional members of the committee are open until January 31, 2026, and should include relevant qualifications and suggested topics.
• The committee will advise the CFTC on the impact of emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and cloud computing on financial markets.
• Selig emphasizes the need for updated market regulations to align with new technologies reshaping financial markets and business models.

Michael Selig, newly appointed Chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has announced the launch of the Innovation Advisory Committee. The committee, formerly known as the Technology Advisory Committee, will advise the CFTC on emerging technologies in finance. Selig also opened nominations for new members, with submissions due by January 31, 2026.

CFTC Renames Committee and Sets New Direction

The Innovation Advisory Committee will explore how technology impacts derivatives, commodities, and financial services markets. It replaces the former Technology Advisory Committee and expands its mandate under Selig’s leadership.

The committee will include members from finance, fintech, academia, regulators, and public interest groups. Selig confirmed that the CEO Innovation Council will serve as the initial charter members of the committee. The council includes leaders such as Shayne Coplan of Polymarket and Adena Friedman of Nasdaq.

Selig said the CFTC will write market rules suited to current technologies and emerging platforms. “Under my leadership, the Commission will develop fit-for-purpose market structure regulations,” he stated. He added that new technologies are reshaping financial markets and require updated oversight frameworks.

Committee to Focus on Digital Assets and Prediction Markets

The CFTC continues to define its role in regulating digital assets and prediction markets. Congress is also reviewing legislation that may increase the agency’s authority over crypto markets. In late 2025, the CFTC approved the listing of spot crypto products on regulated exchanges.

Prediction markets have come under scrutiny following insider trading concerns and political wagers. Lawmakers are pushing for tighter rules, including a new bill by Rep. Ritchie Torres targeting political betting. That proposal followed a Polymarket user allegedly profiting $400,000 on a bet involving Nicolás Maduro.

Former Chair Rostin Behnam warned against federal oversight of election-based markets, urging state-level regulation instead. Still, during the Trump administration, several prediction market platforms received CFTC approvals. These include Gemini Titan, Polymarket US, MIAX Derivatives Exchange, and Bitnomial.

Nominations and Public Input Now Open

The CFTC has invited public nominations for additional Innovation Advisory Committee members. Each submission must include the nominee’s details and reasons for selection, with contact information of the person nominating. Suggestions for priority topics are also encouraged.

The committee will help the CFTC evaluate investment needs and policy frameworks related to innovation in financial markets. According to its charter, the IAC will assess how both regulators and market participants use new technologies. It will also advise on how the Commission can use technology to enhance surveillance and enforcement capabilities.

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