The CFTC's Chicago enforcement team was emptied, and annual fines and forfeitures plummeted from $17.1 billion to less than $10 million.

According to Barron's, the CFTC's Chicago office, the core of its enforcement efforts, has lost all its enforcement lawyers. The office, which previously had about 20 enforcement personnel, has been reduced to zero after the departure of its last lawyer this week. In fiscal year 2024, the CFTC initiated 58 enforcement actions and secured $17.1 billion in monetary relief, while in fiscal year 2025, it is projected to initiate only 13 actions with less than $10 million in compensation. This office previously spearheaded major cases against Binance and FTX, facilitating settlements of $2.85 billion and $12.7 billion, respectively.