Connect with us
DAPA Banner

Crypto World

David Miller Chosen to Head CFTC Enforcement While Crypto Role Increases

Published

on

Nexo Partners with Bakkt for US Crypto Exchange and Yield Programs

TLDR

  • The CFTC appointed former federal prosecutor David Miller to lead its enforcement division as its crypto oversight role expands.
  • Chair Michael Selig said Miller will focus on policing fraud, abuse, and manipulation while the agency increases staffing efforts.
  • Miller stated he is honored to join the CFTC during what he described as a major period of change for digital asset regulation.
  • Lawmakers continued advancing bills that could broaden CFTC authority over crypto markets and related platforms.
  • Recent reports raised concerns about enforcement staffing at both the CFTC and the SEC after reductions in crypto cases.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) advanced its enforcement plans on Monday as Chair Michael Selig appointed David Miller to lead the division. The move came as the agency expanded its oversight of digital assets and prediction markets. The appointment followed rising questions about enforcement capacity across federal market regulators.

CFTC Enforcement Leadership Shift

The agency named Miller after he handled complex digital asset matters in both government and private practice. The CFTC said his background supports its effort to direct more resources toward market oversight.

Selig stated that Miller brings “decades of experience” that will guide work on fraud, abuse, and manipulation cases. He added that Miller’s approach will reflect a focus on policing markets rather than shaping policy.

Miller said he was “honored and thrilled” to join the agency during what he called a major moment. He also said he appreciated the trust placed in him by Selig.

Crypto Oversight and Agency Staffing

Lawmakers continued to work on bills that could expand CFTC jurisdiction over crypto markets. These proposals would broaden federal roles and create clearer oversight rules. The industry watched staffing levels closely as both the CFTC and Securities and Exchange Commission restructured their enforcement teams. Reports said the CFTC’s Chicago office recently operated without enforcement attorneys after several departures.

Advertisement

Selig addressed those concerns and said the agency has enough resources to handle its caseload. He also said the CFTC will keep adding personnel to strengthen supervision.

At the SEC, Chair Paul Atkins faced questions about reduced enforcement activity. Lawmakers asked about the drop in digital asset cases and demanded clarity.

Enforcement Trends Across Federal Regulators

Cornerstone Research reported a 30% drop in SEC enforcement actions during 2025. Its data also showed a 60% decrease in crypto cases year over year. Atkins responded by saying the agency maintains a “robust enforcement effort” across its portfolio. He said the agency continues to follow existing rules.

Miller previously served at Greenberg Traurig and Morgan Lewis as a litigation partner. He focused on commodities, securities, digital assets, and national security. He also worked for nearly a decade as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York. The CFTC said this experience strengthens its enforcement program.

Advertisement

Selig said Miller has a proven record of defending market participants from aggressive legal theories. He also said the appointment strengthens the division during rapid industry change. Miller will direct the agency’s enforcement priorities as regulators refine their approach to digital assets. His work begins as both federal regulators assess evolving market conditions.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Crypto World

Fenbushi Co-Founder Offers Bounty to Recover $42M Stolen Crypto

Published

on

Fenbushi Co-Founder Offers Bounty to Recover $42M Stolen Crypto

Investigators have frozen about $1.2 million as efforts continue to trace funds lost in a wallet breach linked to a seed phrase compromise.

Bo Shen, the co-founder of venture capital firm Fenbushi Capital, offered a bounty to recover about $42 million in digital assets stolen from his personal wallet in a 2022 hack. 

Shen said Thursday that he was offering a 10%-20% bounty on the recovered amount to any individual or organization that makes a substantial contribution to recovering the assets. Shen said onchain investigators ZachXBT and Taylor “Tayvano” Monahan had already helped freeze about $1.2 million in related assets. He said his team would distribute rewards once the recovery is complete.

Advertisement

The bounty revives a case Shen first disclosed in November 2022, when he said roughly $42 million in crypto had been drained from his personal wallet. At the time, he said the stolen funds were personal and did not affect Fenbushi-related entities.

Blockchain analytics company SlowMist later said the theft was caused by a compromise of Shen’s mnemonic seed phrase.  Shen said the renewed push comes after investigators developed new leads and a clearer picture of how the stolen assets moved, though any recovery remains uncertain.

Source: Bo Shen

SlowMist said the stolen assets included about $38.2 million in USDC (USDC), 1,607 Ether (ETH), nearly 720,000 USDt (USDT) and 4.13 Bitcoin (BTC). These assets were later moved through exchanges, including ChangeNow and SideShift. 

Shen says improved tracing tools expanded recovery efforts

Shen said onchain tracking and security investigation tools were less developed when the hack occurred in 2022, limiting the ability to trace funds across chains and platforms. 

He said that recent advances in artificial intelligence-driven data analysis and onchain forensics improved the ability of investigators to follow asset flows and identify relevant transaction patterns. 

Advertisement

Related: Hacked crypto tokens drop 61% on average and rarely recover, Immunefi report says

Shen said the effort could also serve as a test case for how newer tools and coordination methods can support long-running investigations. He said the case highlights how technological progress may expand what is possible in tracing and responding to crypto-related incidents. 

However, any recovery remains uncertain, even with better tracing tools and fresh leads.

Advertisement

Magazine: Are DeFi devs liable for the illegal activity of others on their platforms?