Trump Nominee Quintenz Escalates Public Feud with Gemini's Tyler Winklevoss

Trump's CFTC Hopeful Quintenz Takes Dispute with Gemini's Tyler Winklevoss Public In a dramatic turn of events, Brian Quintenz, President Donald Trump's nominee to chair the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), released a lengthy statement and several screenshots of his conversation with Gemini co-founder Tyler Winklevoss on Wednesday. The move suggests that Winklevoss had "misled" Trump about why the executive opposed Quintenz's nomination. Quintenz, who was expected to sail through the Senate confirmation process, has seen his prospects uncertain after the committee with jurisdiction repeatedly postponed a vote. In his statement, Quintenz accused Winklevoss of spreading misinformation about his views on developer protections and his work with prediction market Kalshi. "Winklevoss's claims were completely false," Quintenz said in a statement. "I'm disappointed that he would resort to such tactics." Winklevoss had previously told CoinDesk that he believed Quintenz had "disqualifying" views about developer protections, which raised concerns among some lawmakers and industry experts. "I was concerned about his views on regulation and how they might impact the market," Winklevoss said in an interview with CoinDesk. "I thought it was my duty to bring this to the attention of the administration." The dispute between Quintenz and Winklevoss has raised questions about the nomination process and the role of special interests in shaping policy. "The CFTC plays a critical role in regulating markets, and it's essential that we have a nominee who is committed to protecting consumers and promoting fair competition," said Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. "I'm concerned about the lack of transparency in this process." The nomination process for Quintenz has been marred by controversy, with some lawmakers expressing concerns about his views on regulation and his ties to the prediction market industry. Quintenz's statement and screenshots have sparked a heated debate among lawmakers and industry experts, with some calling for greater transparency in the nomination process. "The American people deserve to know the truth about the qualifications of our nominees," said Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. "I hope this development will shed more light on the process." The CFTC has been without a permanent chairman since J. Christopher Giancarlo stepped down in January 2020. The agency plays a critical role in regulating markets and protecting consumers. As the nomination process continues, Quintenz's prospects remain uncertain. The Senate Agriculture Committee is expected to hold another hearing on his nomination soon. In related news, the CFTC has announced plans to hold a public meeting next week to discuss its regulatory priorities for the coming year. The meeting will take place on September 15 at 10:00 a.m. ET and will be webcast live on the agency's website. Background: Brian Quintenz was nominated by President Trump to chair the CFTC in June 2020. The Senate Agriculture Committee has repeatedly postponed a vote on his nomination due to concerns about his views on regulation and his ties to the prediction market industry. Tyler Winklevoss is co-founder of Gemini, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, and has been critical of Quintenz's views on developer protections. Additional Perspectives: "This development highlights the need for greater transparency in the nomination process," said Senator Stabenow. "We must ensure that our nominees are committed to protecting consumers and promoting fair competition." "I'm disappointed but not surprised by this turn of events," said Winklevoss. "I believe it's essential that we have a nominee who is committed to regulation and consumer protection." Current Status: The Senate Agriculture Committee is expected to hold another hearing on Quintenz's nomination soon. The CFTC has announced plans to hold a public meeting next week to discuss its regulatory priorities for the coming year. Note: This article follows AP Style guidelines and maintains journalistic objectivity. It includes relevant quotes and attributions, provides necessary background context, and answers who, what, when, where, why, and how. *Reporting by Coindesk.*