WASHINGTON, June 16, 2026 — The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission launched a review of its regulatory framework for fintech firms, seeking public input on regulations, guidance, orders, no-action letters, and other items that may hinder partnerships between fintech firms and CFTC-regulated entities or could be updated to streamline registration and authorization processes in a Request for Information.
The Commission issued the Request for Information pursuant to Executive Order 14405, signed by President Donald Trump on May 19, 2026. The order directed federal financial regulators to review existing regulations, guidance, supervisory practices, and application processes to identify measures that could be updated to facilitate innovation and competition for fintech firms.
According to the CFTC, the review will examine whether existing regulatory items unduly impede fintech firms from entering into partnerships with Commission-regulated market participants and infrastructures. The agency is also seeking feedback on ways to streamline registration, designation, and authorization processes for eligible fintech firms while balancing innovation with safety and soundness, consumer and investor protection, market integrity, financial stability, and oversight.
Executive Order 14405
Executive Order 14405 requires federal financial regulators to review existing regulations, guidance documents, supervisory practices, and application processes to identify items that could be updated to facilitate innovation and competition in financial products and services for fintech firms, particularly small and emerging firms.
The order defines fintech firms as non-bank companies that use or develop technology to offer or support financial products or services. It lists digital asset-related services, blockchain-based services, derivatives, investment management, brokerage services, commodities market activities, and other financial services among the areas that may be covered.
The order also directs regulators to take steps within 180 days to encourage innovation based on the findings of their reviews.
Questions on DeFi and registration categories
The CFTC asked whether its existing registration, designation, and authorization processes are not “fit for purpose” for fintech firms that use technology to offer or support financial products and services to derivatives market participants.
The Commission specifically asked whether existing categories sufficiently allow for the registration, designation, or authorization of decentralized finance protocols or applications, and requested feedback on any gaps.
The agency also asked whether any existing categories are too broad because they appear to capture activities that fintech firms believe should not require registration, designation, or authorization.
Digital asset integration and future action
The Commission said it aims to consider how its oversight of derivatives markets may need to adapt to allow fintech firms to provide innovative services and solutions, allow the integration of digital assets and innovative technology into derivatives markets, and remove overly burdensome or fragmented regulations and supervisory practices that form barriers to entry and primarily benefit incumbent financial services firms.
The CFTC said information gathered through the process may inform future actions, including new or amended guidance, interpretations, policy statements, regulations, or other Commission action.
The Request for Information was designated a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866. The document also states that the RFI is expected to potentially result in a future deregulatory action under Executive Order 14192.
Comments must be submitted within 21 days after publication in the Federal Register.
Why it matters
The Request for Information highlights the CFTC’s effort to evaluate whether existing regulatory frameworks adequately accommodate emerging technologies, including digital asset-related services and decentralized finance applications. Information gathered through the process could inform future guidance, policy statements, regulations, and other Commission actions affecting fintech firms, digital asset businesses, and participants in U.S. derivatives markets.
