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A familiar crypto policymaker steps back in as U.S. regulation heads into a pivotal phase
Amir Zaidi, one of the key architects behind the launch of regulated Bitcoin futures in the U.S., is back at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission after a six-year break. The agency announced this week that Zaidi has been appointed chief of staff, a move that signals a renewed focus on crypto expertise as digital asset regulation inches closer to a legislative turning point.
The appointment comes under newly installed CFTC chairman Michael Selig, who took over after Caroline Pham stepped down in late December 2025. In announcing Zaidi’s return, Selig emphasized his deep background across both public service and financial markets, calling his experience especially timely as Congress weighs sweeping crypto market structure legislation.
Zaidi is no stranger to the agency. He previously served at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission from 2010 to 2019, holding several senior roles. Most notably, he led the Division of Market Oversight in his final years, where he played a central role in clearing the path for the first federally regulated Bitcoin futures contracts in 2017. At the time, those products marked a major step toward bringing crypto into the traditional financial system, even as skepticism around digital assets remained high.
A leadership shift with clear signals
Zaidi’s return follows a broader leadership reset at the CFTC. Under Pham, the agency focused on modernizing derivatives rules and coordinating more closely with other regulators on digital assets. Selig’s decision to bring Zaidi back as chief of staff suggests a sharper emphasis on hands-on crypto and derivatives experience as the regulatory landscape evolves.
In his statement, Selig pointed directly to the road ahead, noting that Congress is close to advancing digital asset legislation that could significantly expand the CFTC’s role. If passed, those laws would likely give the agency clearer authority over crypto spot markets, not just derivatives, making internal policy coordination more important than ever.
From regulator to industry—and back
After leaving the CFTC in 2019, Zaidi moved into the private sector, most recently serving as global head of compliance at TP ICAP. That role gave him a front-row seat to how large financial institutions interpret and respond to regulation, experience that could prove valuable as the CFTC tries to strike a balance between oversight and innovation.
His career has consistently moved between New York and Washington, blending regulatory, legal, and market-facing roles. Academically, Zaidi holds a law degree from the University of Maryland and a business degree from Boston University, both earned with high honors.
Crypto regulation enters a decisive moment
Zaidi’s appointment lands at a time when U.S. crypto regulation feels closer to clarity than it has in years. The CFTC has signaled support for an innovation-friendly approach, while the Securities and Exchange Commission, under Paul Atkins, has taken a softer stance by approving several crypto ETFs and winding down long-running legal disputes.
Zaidi’s role will center on policy planning, internal coordination, and advising the chairman as new rules take shape. With lawmakers pushing toward clearer frameworks and agencies preparing for expanded mandates, his return underscores a simple reality: experience matters when the stakes are this high.
As crypto markets continue to mature, familiar faces like Zaidi reappearing in key roles suggest regulators are gearing up for the long game, not just the next headline.
About the Author
David Rich 
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