Chris Giancarlo, the former chair of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission, is leaving law to become a full-time adviser to cryptocurrency and fintech firms.
Giancarlo — nicknamed “Crypto Dad” for his early advocacy of the sector — posted on X that he is departing the law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher and retiring from legal practice to devote his time to advising founders, CEOs and boards of digital asset companies, researching and writing on public policy, and continuing nonprofit work.
Sworn in as a CFTC commissioner in 2014, Giancarlo was later nominated by President Donald Trump and served as chair from August 2017 to July 2018. While chair, he oversaw approval of the first US Bitcoin futures markets and championed clearer regulation for cryptocurrencies.
Since leaving the CFTC, Giancarlo has continued to comment on regulatory matters and has advised firms such as crypto bank Sygnum on global regulation and strategic partnerships.
In March, he appeared on Scott Melker’s The Wolf of All Streets podcast and downplayed fears that stalled congressional bills like the CLARITY Act would block progress, arguing that the CFTC and the Securities and Exchange Commission could still establish rules to bring clarity to the industry. He cautioned, however, that regulatory uncertainty could deter banks from deeper involvement and stressed the need for America’s financial institutions to adopt modern technology.
Giancarlo is not the only former CFTC leader to move into the crypto sector. In December, former acting CFTC chair Caroline Pham left the agency to become chief legal officer at MoonPay.
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