On 7 January 2025, Rostin Behnam, Chairman of the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (US CFTC), announced his decision to step down from his role, with his final day at the Commission set for 7 February 2025. Chairman Behnam’s tenure at the US CFTC spanned over seven years, during which he played a pivotal role in guiding the agency through a period of significant market evolution and global challenges.
Rostin Behnam joined the US CFTC in 2017 as a commissioner and later assumed the role of Chairman, leading the agency during a transformative era for global financial markets. The US CFTC, which oversees the derivatives markets that underpin critical segments of the US economy, has navigated regulatory complexities under his stewardship. Behnam’s tenure coincided with periods of market volatility driven by domestic and international economic events. His leadership focused on addressing regulatory gaps, managing market risks, and fostering innovation through responsible engagement with new market entrants.
In his announcement, Chairman Behnam reflected on his accomplishments, highlighting deliberate and consensus-driven actions to ensure market stability, minimise disruptions, and establish clear regulatory guardrails. He emphasised the importance of the US CFTC’s work in supporting financial stability, fostering economic growth, and ensuring the predictability of commodity prices. His leadership was marked by efforts to modernise the agency’s capabilities and integrate emerging innovations into the regulatory framework, with the support of Congress.
Rostin Behnam began his journey at the US CFTC in 2017 as a commissioner before being appointed Chairman. His announcement on 7 January 2025 comes 20 days before his formal resignation on 20 January, marking the conclusion of a transformative era for the agency. His last day at the US CFTC will be 7 February 2025, 31 days after his resignation takes effect, allowing for a seamless and orderly transition of leadership. Behnam also pledged to work closely with President Trump’s administration to ensure continuity.
(Source: https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/SpeechesTestimony/behnamstatement010725)
