CFTC Taps Compliance Expert Amir Zaidi as Chief of Staff, with Crypto Futures Blueprint in His Track Record

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has brought in Amir Zaidi to serve as Chief of Staff under Chair Mike Selig’s leadership. The appointment marks a significant move for the regulatory body as it continues shaping America’s stance on digital asset oversight.

Zaidi brings a robust background that spans nearly two decades at the CFTC itself. Between 2010 and 2019, he held the position of Director of Market Regulation, a role in which he oversaw the framework and certification process that brought Bitcoin futures to market as the first federally regulated cryptocurrency derivative product. This milestone represented a watershed moment in crypto market infrastructure, bridging institutional adoption with regulatory legitimacy.

Beyond his tenure at the Commission, Zaidi has accumulated substantial experience across the financial services ecosystem. He previously served as the global head of compliance operations for a major broker-dealer and introducing broker, managing risk frameworks and regulatory adherence at scale. His earlier career included a diverse portfolio of positions spanning finance, law, and regulatory affairs, with postings in both New York and Washington, D.C.

The appointment signals CFTC’s commitment to deepening expertise in digital asset regulation. With Zaidi’s historical involvement in navigating crypto derivatives approval and his compliance background, observers suggest the regulator is positioning itself to handle increasingly complex questions around cryptocurrency market structure and investor protection.