Acting Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Caroline D. Pham, has unveiled a series of significant leadership changes as the agency adapts to a new administration. These appointments signal a renewed focus on emerging financial markets, including cryptocurrency, decentralized finance (DeFi), and market oversight.

In her announcement, Pham expressed her gratitude to the outgoing leadership team, including former Chairman Rostin Behnam and key division directors, for their dedicated service. She emphasized the critical role these individuals played in steering the CFTC through a period of significant evolution in financial markets.

Harry Jung has been named Acting Chief of Staff, where he will also lead the CFTC’s engagement on cryptocurrency, DeFi, and digital assets. Jung, who joined the CFTC in 2023, previously served as a Senior Policy Advisor to Pham. His extensive background includes roles at Citigroup, where he focused on regulatory strategy and policy concerning digital assets, and at Morgan Stanley and FINRA. His new role underscores the CFTC’s commitment to addressing the complexities of the crypto and DeFi markets.

Meghan Tente will serve as Acting General Counsel, bringing over a decade of experience within the CFTC. Tente has held leadership roles such as Acting Director of the Division of Market Oversight, where she oversaw derivatives exchanges and worked on international regulatory standards. Her appointment highlights the agency’s focus on ensuring compliance and market transparency in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

Taylor Foy steps into the role of Acting Director of Public Affairs. With nearly 14 years of experience on Capitol Hill, Foy has managed public messaging and external communications for high-profile Senate committees. His background in transparency initiatives and whistleblower programs aligns with the CFTC’s mission to protect market integrity.

Nicholas Elliot will take on the position of Acting Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs. Elliot’s experience in financial services legislation and his work with Senator Bill Hagerty have equipped him to navigate complex regulatory challenges and foster collaboration between government agencies.

The Division of Market Oversight will be led by Amanda Olear, who has been with the CFTC since 2007. Her extensive experience in managing market participants and regulatory compliance positions her to address the evolving demands of market oversight. Similarly, Richard Haynes assumes the role of Acting Director of the Division of Clearing and Risk, where he will leverage his expertise in systemic risk monitoring and transparency initiatives.

Brian Young, with two decades of experience at the Department of Justice, has been appointed Acting Director of the Division of Enforcement. Young’s background in prosecuting white-collar crimes and high-profile financial cases underscores the CFTC’s commitment to robust enforcement. Mauricio Melara, now Acting Director of the Office of International Affairs, will continue to guide the agency’s efforts in navigating cross-border regulatory challenges.

Acting Chairman Pham emphasized the importance of these appointments in maintaining the CFTC’s leadership in financial regulation while fostering innovation and growth. “These changes reflect our commitment to adapting to the needs of modern financial markets while upholding the highest standards of integrity and transparency,” she said.