Michael Selig

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Michael Selig Occupation Chief Counsel of the Crypto Task Force and Senior Advisor to the Chairman Employer Securities and Exchange Commission Location Washington, District of Columbia, United States LinkedIn [Michael Selig LinkedIn Profile] Website www.sec.gov Michael Selig is an American financial regulatory attorney who has served as the 16th chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission since December 22, 2025. He was nominated for that position in October 2025 by President Trump. Selig’s career centers on law and regulation of digital assets, derivatives, and blockchain-based markets, with primary roles at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, and the CFTC. Background Early regulatory experience Selig began his professional career as an attorney with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. At the CFTC, he served in the office of Commissioner J. Christopher Giancarlo, a period marked by significant discussion over blockchain integration and digital asset policy within U.S. market oversight. During this time, Selig contributed to legal analysis to support the commission’s understanding of emerging asset and derivatives markets, reflecting the broader industry's evolution toward new technologies. Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP Following government service, Selig joined Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, ascending to partner within the asset management department and co-chairing the Willkie Digital Works practice. While at Willkie, Selig guided clients navigating emerging regulatory criteria for cryptocurrencies, blockchain initiatives, and digital asset compliance. He represented asset managers, banks, cryptocurrency exchanges, and protocol developers in matters spanning compliance, enforcement, and registration under CFTC, SEC, and FinCEN jurisdiction. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Selig transitioned to the SEC, taking up the position of chief counsel for the Crypto Task Force in March of 2025 and later serving as a senior advisor to acting SEC chairman Mark T. Uyeda. His tenure coincided with the SEC’s increasing engagement with digital asset policy, including its approach to DeFi, futures, and tokenized securities. Selig contributed to legal frameworks and strategic guidance that supported the development of new industry standards and rules. Nomination as CFTC chairman In October 2025, President Trump nominated Selig to chair the Commodity Futures Trading Commission following a withdrawn nomination for Brian Quintenz. Selig's nomination was seen as a reflection of the administration’s orientation toward digital asset regulation and innovation. His stated priorities for the role included improving risk management, advancing clarity for cryptocurrency markets, and fostering innovation through responsible oversight. Professional alliances and historical context Selig’s career overlapped with noted figures in U.S. financial regulation, most significantly his work with J. Christopher Giancarlo and participation in high-impact industry advisory councils. The historical environment surrounding his work included significant debates on price discovery, liquidity, and hedging in futures, options, and swaps markets as those intersected with newer digital asset frameworks. Selig’s advocacy for compliance modernization and decentralized market frameworks established him as a technical legal authority during a period of rising digital transformation in financial market structure. Education Selig earned his Juris Doctor degree from The George Washington University Law School, focusing on financial and securities regulation. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University, where he graduated magna cum laude in philosophy and political science. During his years at Florida State, he was a member of the policy debate team. Risk management Michael Selig’s regulatory work emphasized the importance of risk management in managing futures, options, swaps, and related derivatives. He advocated for risk oversight mechanisms adaptable to the challenges presented by cryptocurrencies, DeFi projects, and blockchain-based trading platforms. References

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