CFTC strengthens crypto focus with Harry Jung’s digital asset appointment

The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has appointed Harry Jung to spearhead its crypto, DeFi, and digital assets efforts.

Jung will also serve as Acting Chief of Staff under Acting Chair Caroline Pham, according to a Jan. 23 statement.

Jung’s promotion builds on his experience as the Designated Federal Officer for the CFTC’s Global Markets Advisory Committee. In that role, he collaborated with policymakers and industry leaders to address emerging trends in digital markets.

According to the press statement:

“[Jung has] coordinated firm-wide working groups on emerging issues and global policy forums, as well as led the regulatory engagement regarding digital assets with US prudential and capital markets regulators.”

Since joining the CFTC in 2023, he has served as Counselor and Senior Policy Advisor to Pham during her tenure as Commissioner.

Before his tenure at the agency, Jung gained extensive experience at Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), where he worked on regulatory strategies for digital markets.

Meanwhile, this appointment is part of broader leadership changes at the CFTC under Pham’s direction. Meghan Tente, Pham’s former Chief of Staff, now serves as Acting General Counsel.

Additionally, Taylor Foy has been appointed Acting Director of Public Affairs, while Nicholas Elliot temporarily leads the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Evolving landscape

The CFTC’s decision to appoint a dedicated crypto lead comes as US regulators ramp up their efforts to address the challenges posed by the evolving digital asset landscape.

Acting Chairman Mark Uyeda announced a new crypto task force earlier this week. This initiative aims to establish a clear regulatory framework for the industry, addressing the shortcomings of enforcement-driven approaches.

Commissioner Hester Peirce, a long-time advocate for innovation in the digital asset space, will lead the SEC’s task force. Senior Advisors Richard Gabbert and Taylor Asher will support her.

Many believe these developments signal a shift toward regulatory clarity under President Donald Trump’s administration.

They emphasized that these efforts will boost market confidence, pave the way for banks’ broader adoption of blockchain technology, increase investor participation in cryptocurrencies, and deepen the integration of Web3 solutions across industries.

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