Veteran Crypto Regulator Amir Zaidi Takes Key CFTC Leadership Position

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has tapped Amir Zaidi to serve as its Chief of Staff, marking a significant leadership move for the agency overseeing digital asset derivatives. CFTC Chairman Mike Selig confirmed the appointment through an official statement.

Zaidi brings substantial credentials to the role, having previously spent nearly a decade at the CFTC from 2010 through 2019 in multiple capacities. Most notably, he led the Division of Market Oversight, a position that proved instrumental during the pivotal moment when the commission authorized the first federally regulated Bitcoin futures contracts. This breakthrough established a regulated pathway for institutional investment in cryptocurrency derivatives.

Following his initial tenure at the agency, Zaidi transitioned to the private sector where he served as Global Head of Compliance for a major institutional broker-dealer and introducing broker. This move allowed him to apply regulatory insights across complex trading operations. His career trajectory also encompasses earlier roles spanning legal, financial, and compliance functions across prominent New York and Washington-based firms.

The appointment reflects the CFTC’s commitment to crypto market oversight at a time when digital asset markets continue expanding. Amir’s deep familiarity with the agency’s operations and established expertise in cryptocurrency market infrastructure positions him to navigate ongoing regulatory challenges and policy development in this evolving space.