Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Acting Chair Caroline Pham is set to embark on a new chapter in her career, taking on a senior role at the crypto finance company MoonPay. The announcement was made on Wednesday, with Pham indicating her intention to leave her position at the agency following the confirmation of a new CFTC chair. President Donald Trump’s nominee, Mike Selig, is slated to appear for his confirmation hearing this week. Pham is lined up to serve as MoonPay’s chief legal officer and chief administrative officer; however, her exact start date remains uncertain as it is contingent on the transition of leadership at the CFTC.
MoonPay CEO Ivan Soto-Wright expressed enthusiasm about Pham’s appointment, highlighting her contributions at the CFTC that have helped to shape policies promoting financial freedom and crypto innovation. Soto-Wright noted the importance of translating these advancements into tangible results for users and partners globally.
Pham’s move to MoonPay underscores the ongoing convergence of traditional regulatory practices and private-sector initiatives in the digital asset space, particularly regarding compliance and market structure. During her tenure at the CFTC, Pham has been pivotal in advancing the agency’s efforts related to cryptocurrencies, particularly through initiatives like the “Crypto Sprint,” aimed at clarifying how existing rules apply to emerging digital assets.
Recently, Pham announced the withdrawal of guidance pertaining to the “actual delivery” of digital assets, describing it as outdated and overly complex. This decision was part of a broader effort to simplify compliance expectations and reduce ambiguity for trading platforms. Earlier this month, she also revealed that Bitnomial became the first exchange to list spot crypto products authorized by the regulator, marking a significant development in the CFTC’s regulatory oversight and moving towards more standardized listings.
In addition, Pham established a CEO Innovation Council to facilitate direct dialogue between the agency and market leaders as interest in derivatives and settlement infrastructure continues to grow. Notable participants in this initiative included the CEOs of Polymarket, Nasdaq, and Gemini.
For MoonPay, which specializes in developing tools for crypto payments, wallets, and enterprise onboarding, Pham’s expertise presents an advantageous opportunity as the company strives to enhance its regulatory positioning while expanding internationally. Her experience as a former U.S. regulator is particularly relevant as MoonPay seeks to navigate the complexities of compliance and customer engagement within a rapidly evolving financial landscape.
As the crypto industry faces increased scrutiny from regulators, Pham’s background could provide MoonPay with valuable insights into managing licensing, product reviews, and partnerships that require clear compliance pathways.
Currently, Pham will remain at the CFTC until the Senate acts on Selig’s nomination. Once the new chair is confirmed, her transition to MoonPay is expected to occur promptly. Her departure from the CFTC will mark the end of a tenure that positioned the agency as a prominent player in the regulatory oversight of cryptocurrencies, addressing various aspects from delivery regulations to spot product approvals. The timeline for her start at MoonPay is entirely dependent on the timing of this leadership transition. In the meantime, she continues to oversee an agency that remains actively engaged in digital asset oversight, reflecting the evolving landscape of financial regulation.
