Regulatory Veteran Amir Zaidi Assumes Leadership Role at CFTC

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission has tapped Amir Zaidi to lead its Chief of Staff office, marking a significant appointment within the agency’s leadership structure. CFTC Chairman Mike Selig made the announcement public through official channels, recognizing Zaidi’s extensive background in financial oversight and regulatory affairs.

Zaidi brings formidable credentials to this post, having spent a decade at the CFTC between 2010 and 2019 in progressively senior capacities. Most notably, he directed the Division of Market Oversight during a pivotal period for digital assets. His stewardship was crucial in facilitating the approval and rollout of Bitcoin futures contracts—a landmark achievement as the first federally regulated cryptocurrency offering to reach market. This milestone reflected the CFTC’s evolving mandate to accommodate emerging asset classes while maintaining market integrity.

Following his initial tenure at the agency, Zaidi transitioned to the private sector, where he served as Global Head of Compliance at a major brokerage operation and introducing broker firm. This role further cemented his reputation as a compliance and risk management specialist. His professional journey encompasses a varied portfolio of positions in financial services, spanning both legal and regulatory domains across prominent financial hubs including New York and Washington. The breadth of his experience across multiple decades positions him as a seasoned hand in navigating complex regulatory environments and institutional frameworks.