Key Takeaways
- Trump nominated Nathan Anonick and Matthew Rowland, who worked on CLARITY Act negotiations, to the CFTC.
- Their nominations come as the regulator considers a framework for retail crypto transactions.
- Senate confirmation is required, and the appointments would not enact the stalled legislation.
President Donald Trump has nominated two CLARITY Act negotiators to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, where they could help shape US crypto rules after the legislation stalled in Congress.
The White House announced Nathan Anonick and Matthew Rowland’s nominations on Nov. 12, alongside the selection of Kristin Johnson and Steven Levine for Securities and Exchange Commission seats.
Trump Turns to CLARITY Act Negotiators for CFTC Seats
Anonick and Rowland helped lawmakers develop the CLARITY Act’s proposed crypto framework.
Now, Trump wants them to join the regulator that would oversee key parts of that market.
As legislative counsel to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman, Anonick helped negotiate the committee’s portion of the bill, including its proposed approach to CFTC oversight.
Rowland worked on the legislation as a CFTC attorney assigned to the Agriculture Committee, bringing the agency’s experience to the negotiations.
He also contributed to an earlier crypto bill in 2024.
If confirmed, they would help shape CFTC rules under existing law while the broader legislation remains stalled.
Retail Trading and Leverage Are Already on the Agenda
The CFTC’s immediate crypto agenda includes questions about how platforms offer trading and financing to ordinary customers.
In an October announcement, the agency sought feedback on developing rules for retail crypto transactions.
“The American people deserve clarity, certainty, and consumer protections in the crypto asset markets,” Chairman Michael Selig said.
The consultation examines how existing authority could support a regulatory framework covering those transactions, including a proposed crypto asset market category.
For customers, the consequences could extend to who provides leverage and how platforms handle margin requirements.
The Federal Register notice, published Oct. 13, sets a Dec. 14 deadline for public comments.
CLARITY Act’s Senate Failure Leaves Agencies in Focus
The nominations follow the Senate’s failure to advance the CLARITY Act in September, when supporters fell short of the 60 votes required to overcome a procedural hurdle.
The vote blocked the planned move toward considering the legislation. It was not a rejection on final passage.
Disagreements reached beyond which agency should oversee particular crypto activities.
The breakdown in negotiations also involved public officials’ digital-asset interests, banking concerns, and enforcement powers.
Those disputes remain relevant because regulatory appointments cannot settle every question Congress was being asked to address.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse expressed frustration after the failed vote.
“This one stings,” he said.
“Ultimately, consumers and US competitiveness got left behind.”
Garlinghouse nevertheless expected the SEC and CFTC to continue working on crypto rules under their existing powers.
SEC Pick Has Called for Stronger Customer Protections
Johnson’s nomination to the SEC adds a former CFTC commissioner with a documented interest in safeguarding customer assets.
In a March 2024 speech, she reiterated her call for:
“expanding prohibitions on the commingling of customer assets and codifying segregation of customer money from proprietary (house) money”
The White House nominated Johnson for a term ending June 5, 2029, succeeding Caroline Crenshaw.
Levine was nominated for a term ending June 5, 2030, succeeding Hester Peirce.
The immediate milestones to watch are the Senate’s consideration of the nominees and the CFTC’s consultation, which closes in December.
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Kurt Robson is a London-based reporter at CCN, specialising in the fast-moving worlds of crypto and emerging technology. He began his career covering local news in Cornwall after graduating from Falmouth University with First Class Honours in Journalism. There, he cut his teeth on everything from council meetings to missing swans.
He quickly rose through the ranks to become a frontline journalist at several of the UK’s leading national newspapers. Over the years, he has interviewed musicians and celebrities, reported from courtrooms and crime scenes, and secured multiple front-page exclusives.
Following the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kurt shifted his focus to technology journalism—just ahead of the AI boom. With a natural curiosity and a trained eye for emerging trends, he has found a new rhythm in reporting on innovation.
At CCN, Kurt's work focuses on the cutting edge of crypto, blockchain, AI, and the evolving digital world. Drawing on his background in people-first reporting and his deep interest in disruptive tech, Kurt delivers stories that are insightful, entertaining, and human-centric.
