Head of CFTC Says Agency Will Have to Spend More On Crypto Enforcement, Surveillance

The Head of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Chris Giancarlo said at the House’s Agriculture Committee on Wednesday that the agency Commission will have to spend more on “technology for enforcement and surveillance of cryptocurrency products and other innovations on the subject of blockchain compared to other countries.”

He explained that with the emergence of new innovative technologies in the financial sector, is taking us into a new chapter of economic history. More so, Chris said that investors should take care when putting their resources on cryptocurrency coins or tokens sold with the claim that they can purchase goods, services, or platform access in the future.

The CFTC Chair also disclosed that his agency is collaborating with other financial regulators to aggressively apprehend and prosecute cryptocurrency criminals. “There’s a lot of coordination going on,” Giancarlo noted. Furthermore, he also revealed that at the moment, he doesn’t know when the federal cryptocurrency task force led by the Treasury Department will issue a report.

CFTC to Collaborate with Fintech Developers on Blockchain Regulation

During the meeting, Chris Giancarlo endorsed the bill brought up by an Acting Committee member representing Georgia Austin Scott which would allow the CFTC to work with fintech developers on a blockchain regulatory node project. He believes that the bill if passed would greatly enhance the Commission’s ability to keep pace with emerging technology, explore its potential, and facilitate its adoption,”

Chris Giancarlo also proposed six guiding elements for the CFTC on cryptocurrency products which include: Strong enforcement, Staff competency, Consumer education, S. interagency cooperation Exercise of authority and Heightened review of virtual currency product self-certifications.

More recently, the CFTC released an advisory guidance to clearinghouses and exchanges for listing virtual currency derivative products. The guidance covered five major areas including, enhanced market surveillance, risk management and governance, close coordination with CFTC staff, large trader reporting, and outreach to member and market participants.

CFTC Tackling Cryptocurrency Frauds

The CFTC has also shown its determination to tackle cryptocurrency cases under its purview. In one case in March, the regulator obtained a favorable ruling against crypto trading scheme, CabbageTech.

Solomon Sunny is the market reporter for Smartereum, one of the global leaders in Ethereum, blockchain and currency news. He produces technical price updates on digital currencies and writes recent developments about blockchain.

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