Quintenz Still Has Trump’s Backing After White House Halts the Vote

White House Intervenes, Then Reaffirms Support

The vote, which had already been rescheduled once, was pulled from the Senate Agriculture Committee’s schedule on Monday at the direct request of the White House.

The unexpected move fueled speculation about the future of the nomination, especially after a Bloomberg report suggested crypto billionaire Tyler Winklevoss was trying to halt the process.

However, the White House quickly moved to shut down those rumors. A spokesperson stated that Quintenz remains the administration’s choice and “will help deliver on President Trump’s mission to make America the crypto capital of the world and we look forward to his swift confirmation.” This strong endorsement indicates the delay is likely a strategic pause rather than a sign of wavering support.

A Confirmation Battle Fueled by Kalshi Ties

At the center of the fierce opposition are Quintenz’s deep ties to the prediction market platform Kalshi, where he serves as a board member and shareholder.

Kalshi has aggressively pushed into the sports betting space, offering event contracts that function like traditional wagers and claiming its authority comes from the CFTC.

This has created a powerful coalition of opponents, including the American Gaming Association, the National Council on Problem Gambling, and 17 tribal gaming groups.

They fear Quintenz would allow the CFTC to become a “backdoor for federally regulated sports betting” that bypasses state laws. Quintenz has pledged to resign from Kalshi’s board and sell his shares if confirmed.

A Partisan Fight and a Looming Leadership Crisis

The confirmation fight is playing out along strict party lines. Democrats are united in their opposition, meaning Republicans need all 12 of their committee members present to approve the nomination. The first delay on July 21 was caused by a Republican senator’s flight delay, highlighting the razor-thin margin for error.

The situation is made more critical by a looming leadership crisis at the CFTC. The agency is currently operating with only two commissioners, both of whom are expected to leave their posts within the next year.

This creates the unprecedented possibility that if confirmed, Quintenz could become the agency’s sole commissioner, giving him immense unilateral power over the future of prediction markets and digital assets.

Crypto’s Growing Influence in Washington

The drama surrounding the nomination also highlights the growing political influence of the digital asset industry. The reported intervention from a major crypto figure like Winklevoss, followed by a White House request for a delay, suggests a complex political battle is being waged behind the scenes.

The White House’s explicit linking of Quintenz’s confirmation to its “crypto capital” ambitions shows just how high the stakes are. For now, the future of the CFTC’s leadership remains in limbo, with the next steps for the controversial nomination still unclear.