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The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission has launched an initiative to enable the trading of “spot crypto asset contracts” on CFTC-registered futures exchanges.The invitation is <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/cftc-crypto-sprint-sec-white-house-plans" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">part of the CFTC’s</a> “crypto sprint” initiative to implement recommendations from President Donald Trump’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets, which included 18 recommendations.&nbsp;“The CFTC is full speed ahead on enabling immediate trading of digital assets at the Federal level in coordination with the SEC’s Project Crypto,” <a href="https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/9105-25" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">wrote</a> the CFTC’s Acting Chair Caroline Pham in a statement on Monday.<blockquote> “There is a clear and simple solution the CFTC can implement now.”
</blockquote><figure><img src="https://s3.cointelegraph.com/uploads/2025-08/0198779b-3706-784e-892e-976021b03b3c" title="" alt="CFTC seeks to allow spot crypto trading on registered exchanges"><figcaption>Source: <a href="https://x.com/CarolineDPham/status/1952478950367887778" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Caroline Pham</a></figcaption></figure>A spot crypto asset contract would resemble a futures‑style, listed contract that mirrors spot crypto prices and is traded on a CFTC-registered designated contract market (DCM).<h2 id="cftc-seeks-public-input">CFTC seeks public input</h2>The CFTC is specifically seeking feedback on the application of section 2(c)(2)(D) of the Commodity Exchange Act and Part 40 of CFTC regulations.Section 2(c)(2)(D) requires that retail commodity transactions involving leverage, margin, or financing be conducted on a CFTC-registered DCM, providing a legal framework for regulating leveraged <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/learn/articles/bitcoin-spot-vs-derivatives-trading" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">spot crypto contracts.</a>Part 40 of the CFTC Regulations concerns rules for DCMs, including registration and compliance requirements and enforcement provisions.The CFTC is also seeking input on potential implications under securities laws, such as how an SEC framework might apply to trading non-security assets that may constitute an <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/what-are-the-howey-test-and-its-implications-for-cryptocurrency" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">investment contract.</a>The public comment submission period will close on Aug. 18.<h2 id="18-recommendations-to-cftc">18 recommendations to CFTC</h2>The Working Group’s crypto policy recommendations report, released last week, advised the CFTC to more clearly outline how cryptocurrencies may be <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/learn/articles/commodities-vs-securities" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">considered commodities</a>; how its registration requirements would work with <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/defi-default-financial-interface" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">decentralized finance</a> market participants, and provide guidance to CFTC-regulated entities on what they can do with crypto.Related: <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/justice-department-ends-investigation-polymarket" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">US Justice Department, CFTC end Polymarket investigations — Report</a>Another major task is considering how to amend rules to accommodate blockchain-based derivatives.An additional 16 recommendations concerning the CFTC were tied to other financial agencies, such as the SEC and the Treasury.<h2 id="cftc-currently-short-on-commissioners">CFTC currently short on commissioners</h2>The CFTC is currently operating with just two commissioners: Pham and Kristin N. Johnson, who is expected to depart later this year.Former CFTC Chair <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/crypto-vulnerable-without-cftc-authority-rostin-beh" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Rostin Behnam</a> resigned on Jan. 20, when the Trump administration took over, while Summer Mersinger and Christy Goldsmith Romero both stepped down in late May.Meanwhile, Trump’s pick for permanent chair — Brian Quintenz — remains in limbo after the White House <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/senate-agriculture-committee-delay-brian-quintenz-cftc" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">intervened to postpone</a> a Senate vote on his nomination last week.Magazine: <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/pakistan-will-deploy-bitcoin-reserves-defi-yield-crypto-chief-bilal-bin-saqib/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Pakistan will deploy Bitcoin reserve in DeFi for yield, says Bilal Bin Saqib</a>

CFTC seeks to allow spot crypto trading on registered exchanges

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