Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chair Michael Selig has named Amir Zaidi as his chief of staff, as Selig begins his tenure leading the agency.
On Wednesday, Selig said he picked Zaidi to be his chief of staff, citing Zaidi's prior experience at the CFTC. Zaidi was at the agency from 2010 to 2019 and oversaw the launch of the bitcoin futures contracts, according to a statement.
The CFTC is slated to have a more influential role overseeing the crypto industry as lawmakers look to pass a bill that would give bolstered authority to the agency. Drafts and versions of bills give the CFTC new authority to the agency.
"Amir was instrumental in the historic launch of CFTC-regulated bitcoin futures contracts during President Trump’s first term," said Selig, who the Senate confirmed to lead the CFTC earlier this month.
"With Congress poised to send digital asset market structure legislation to the President’s desk, he will bring tremendous experience and expertise to the CFTC as it develops fit-for-purpose regulations for our rapidly evolving commodity markets," Selig added.
At the CFTC, Zaidi was appointed to lead the Division of Market Oversight when Christopher Giancarlo chaired the agency. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Maryland School of Law and his bachelor's degree in business administration, summa cum laude, from Boston University.
“Under Chairman Selig’s leadership, I look forward to providing a steady hand at the Commission during this important time," Zaidi said in the statement. "I am committed to ensuring that the Chairman’s pro-innovation agenda is successfully implemented during this period of rapid transformation in the derivatives markets.”
