The CFTC has announced the first members of its innovation working group.

CFTC Launches Innovation Working Group, Unveils First Members

CFTC Chairman Mike Selig has announced the first members of a newly formed innovation working group. The group is aimed at providing clear industry rules for US innovators.

The working group is led by Michael Passalacqua, a senior advisor to Selig. The first five members include Hank Balaban, a former Latham & Watkins crypto lawyer; Sam Canavos, a former Patomak crypto and prediction markets advisor; Mark Fajfar, a CFTC legal veteran; Eugene Gonzalez IV, a former Sidley blockchain lawyer; and Dina Moussa, a special advisor in the CFTC's Market Participants Division. Selig also launched an "innovation tracker" to highlight the agency's work on regulatory clarity, market integrity, and technological progress. Key focus areas include crypto and blockchain, AI and autonomous systems, and contracts and prediction markets.