On 27 January 2025, the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (US CFTC) announced the launch of a series of public roundtables focused on emerging trends and innovation in market structure. Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham initiated the effort as part of a broader push for transparency and open engagement in policy discussions affecting derivatives markets. The roundtables will cover critical topics, including affiliated entities and conflicts of interest, prediction markets, and digital assets.
The US CFTC’s new initiative aims to facilitate informed discussions among industry leaders, market participants, experts, and public interest groups. The roundtables will build a comprehensive administrative record by incorporating studies, data, expert reports, and public input. Acting Chairman Pham underscored the importance of a forward-looking regulatory approach, stating that the initiative will help ensure US markets remain resilient while fostering economic growth and maintaining American competitiveness. The Commission has committed to providing further details about the roundtable series as they become available.
The US CFTC plays a central role in overseeing the derivatives markets and ensuring their integrity. As financial markets evolve with technological advancements, regulatory frameworks must adapt to address both opportunities and risks. In recent years, digital assets, prediction markets, and complex financial structures have introduced new challenges, necessitating a structured regulatory response.
Acting Chairman Pham has consistently advocated for a proactive stance on market structure changes. In 2024, she called for increased public engagement and greater transparency in the US CFTC’s approach to regulating derivatives markets. The launch of these roundtables reflects her commitment to an inclusive and data-driven policymaking process that considers a wide range of perspectives.
In 2024, Acting Chairman Pham called for greater transparency and engagement in derivatives market regulation, emphasising the need for structured public discourse. On 27 January 2025, US CFTC formally announced the public roundtable initiative, highlighting its focus on evolving market structures, digital assets, and affiliated entities. The US CFTC will host a series of roundtables, gathering insights from industry leaders, market participants, and public interest groups to develop clear regulatory guidelines.
The roundtables will serve as a platform for expert discussions on regulatory challenges and opportunities arising from market innovations. The initiative aims to enhance market stability by ensuring that emerging trends are addressed with a balanced regulatory approach. The US CFTC has committed to hosting these roundtables over the next several months, with detailed schedules to be announced in due course.
(Source: https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/9038-25)
