White House nominates four crypto-savvy regulators for CFTC and SEC seats

The nominations represent the first major picks for these agencies in nearly a year. The slate splits evenly between two Republicans and two Democrats, signaling a potential shift in how digital assets are regulated at the federal level.

CFTC nominees

Nathan Anonick, a Republican from Virginia, would take the seat previously held by Rostin Behnam, with a term running to June 19, 2031. Matthew Rowland, a Democrat from Washington, DC, would replace Summer Mersinger, serving until April 13, 2028.

Both nominees have worked on major legislation, including the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, which aims to draw clearer regulatory lines around digital assets.

SEC nominees

Kristin N. Johnson, a Democrat from Michigan, is a familiar face who previously served as a CFTC commissioner, focusing on digital asset custody and decentralized finance. Steven Levine, a Republican from Maryland, is nominated to the SEC seat held by Hester Peirce, with a term ending June 5, 2030.

Confirmation timeline

The nominations are not appointments yet. All four nominees need Senate confirmation before taking their seats. The SEC nominees are scheduled for a hearing before the Senate Banking Committee on November 19, 2026, just one week after the nominations were transmitted.

Confirmation is anticipated before Democrats take control of the Senate in January 2027. The CFTC nominees will need their own hearings, with their history with the Clarity Act suggesting crypto will be a key topic.

The narrow window between now and January 2027 makes the timeline tight. If confirmations slip past the Senate handover, the process could become more complicated, leaving the agencies short-handed longer.