CFTC hires SEC crypto task force adviser with blockchain forensics chops
The CFTC appointed Donald Battle as chief data innovation officer, signaling a stronger focus on crypto and blockchain-related oversight. Battle has experience in blockchain forensics, data science, programming interfaces, and AI, and previously served as a blockchain data adviser at the CFTC, a crypto enforcement specialist at FinCEN, and an adviser to the SEC crypto task force. The move comes as Congress considers the CLARITY Act, which would reshape digital asset market structure and the division of authority between the CFTC and SEC. Under Chair Michael Selig, the CFTC is also asserting jurisdiction over prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket. Last week, the agency proposed a rule to help distinguish sports event contracts from gambling-like “games of random chance,” opening a 45-day comment period.
