ARTICLE
8 April 2026

CFTC Launches Innovation Task Force Focused On Emerging Derivatives Issues

SM
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

Contributor

Businesses turn to Sheppard to deliver sophisticated counsel to help clients move ahead. With more than 1,200 lawyers located in 16 offices worldwide, our client-centered approach is grounded in nearly a century of building enduring relationships on trust and collaboration. Our broad and diversified practices serve global clients—from startups to Fortune 500 companies—at every stage of the business cycle, including high-stakes litigation, complex transactions, sophisticated financings and regulatory issues. With leading edge technologies and innovation behind our team, we pride ourselves on being a strategic partner to our clients.
On March 24, 2026, CFTC Chairman Michael Selig announced the formation of the Innovation Task Force...
United States Finance and Banking
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP are most popular:
  • within Cannabis & Hemp topic(s)

On March 24, 2026, CFTC Chairman Michael Selig announced the formation of the Innovation Task Force, a new initiative intended to help develop a clearer regulatory framework for innovators operating in U.S. derivatives markets. According to the CFTC, the task force will work on issues involving crypto assets and blockchain technologies, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, and prediction markets.

The announcement frames the task force as part of the agency's broader innovation agenda. Chairman Selig stated that the initiative is intended to advance clear rules of the road for firms building novel products and technologies in the derivatives space. The CFTC also said the task force will coordinate with other federal agencies and departments, including the SEC and its Crypto Task Force, on innovation-related initiatives.

Putting It Into Practice: The creation of the Innovation Task Force signals the agency's intent to take a more proactive approach to novel products in the derivatives market. This move is consistent with a broader federal trend toward developing more formal frameworks for emerging financial technologies and products (previously discussed here). Market participants operating in these areas should monitor whether this initiative leads to additional guidance, interagency coordination, or future rulemaking.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

[View Source]

Mondaq uses cookies on this website. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies as set out in our Privacy Policy.

Learn More