Brian Quintenz, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), on Wednesday published a series of text-message screenshots he says explain why his confirmation was paused and how crypto executives sought to influence him.
Quintenz posted messages he said came from a group chat with Gemini co-founder Tyler Winklevoss — and possibly Cameron Winklevoss. In the screenshots dated July 24, Tyler asked whether Quintenz had seen a June 17 post announcing that Gemini filed a complaint with the CFTC inspector general about Division of Enforcement attorneys who pursued charges against the exchange.
“I believe these texts make it clear what they were after from me, and what I refused to promise,” Quintenz wrote, saying he understood that after the exchange the Winklevosses “contacted the president and asked that my confirmation be paused for reasons other than what is reflected in these texts.”
The disclosure is an uncommon step for a nominee in an active federal confirmation. Quintenz’s nomination had been expected to clear a routine procedural vote in the Senate Agriculture Committee before the August recess, but the White House delayed that step. Tyler Winklevoss has publicly opposed Quintenz on grounds including the nominee’s support for a larger CFTC budget, views on legal liability for crypto developers, and alleged attempts to influence the agency on behalf of prediction-market firm Kalshi.
In the exchanged messages Quintenz acknowledged frustration with the Enforcement Division’s aggressive approach but pledged a “fair and reasonable review”, saying a fully confirmed chair should handle any probe into staff conduct. Winklevoss asked whether Gemini should have waited to file its complaint until after confirmation and offered to raise the matter with the president.
CoinDesk could not independently verify the messages, and Quintenz, the Winklevosses and Gemini did not immediately comment.
Why this matters: the pause leaves the CFTC operating under Acting Chairman Caroline Pham while parallel regulatory efforts — including SEC Chair Paul Atkins’ industry initiative “Project Crypto” — press to clarify oversight of digital assets. Leadership uncertainty can shift enforcement priorities, slow rulemaking and increase volatility for firms and markets.
Source: CoinDesk. Read the original coverage for full details.