Outgoing CFTC Commissioner Christy Romero has expressed deep reservations about the increasing unpredictability of financial market oversight in the U.S. In a speech at The Brookings Institution on May 27, Romero argued that the Trump administration’s deregulatory push could weaken the institutional safeguards that protect the economy.

Romero Advocates for Stability in Regulatory Policy

Romero urged lawmakers and regulators to avoid abrupt changes and instead pursue a measured, bipartisan path toward oversight. “We cannot afford to keep swinging between extremes. Our markets need the resilience that comes from steady, thoughtful regulation,” she remarked.

Highlighting the need for cooperation among independent regulators and industry stakeholders, Romero noted, “Only through consistent engagement can we build the robust financial system our economy depends on.”

Shift Toward Crypto-Focused Leadership at the CFTC

Romero’s departure follows the appointment of Bryan Quintenz, a crypto-enthusiastic former commissioner, as her successor. With substantial holdings in digital currencies—reportedly over $3 million—Quintenz is seen as a pro-crypto figure who will likely support the sector’s growth under the CFTC’s watch.

Her resignation is part of a wider exodus from the agency, with other commissioners—Christy Goldsmith, Caroline Pham, and Summer Mersinger—also preparing to step down. The leadership change underscores a major pivot in the CFTC’s regulatory approach. Romero’s final day at the commission is set for May 31.