Amir Zaidi has been appointed as Chief of Staff at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), according to an announcement from Chairman Michael S. Selig. Zaidi previously worked at the CFTC in various roles between 2010 and 2019, including as director of the Division of Market Oversight.
Chairman Selig said, “Amir brings to this role deep experience both at the Commission and in the financial services world, and has a proven track record of successfully embracing innovation in our markets. I’m grateful for his willingness to return as chief of staff and for his continued dedication and service to both the CFTC and our stakeholders. Amir was instrumental in the historic launch of CFTC-regulated bitcoin futures contracts during President Trump’s first term. With Congress poised to send digital asset market structure legislation to the President’s desk, he will bring tremendous experience and expertise to the CFTC as it develops fit-for-purpose regulations for our rapidly evolving commodity markets.”
Zaidi expressed appreciation for his appointment: “I am excited to return to the CFTC and thank Chairman Selig for appointing me to this important role. Under Chairman Selig’s leadership, I look forward to providing a steady hand at the Commission during this important time. I am committed to ensuring that the Chairman’s pro-innovation agenda is successfully implemented during this period of rapid transformation in the derivatives markets.”
During his previous tenure at the agency, Zaidi oversaw significant developments such as certifying and deploying bitcoin futures contracts—the first federally regulated crypto product—and held senior positions under former Chairman Chris Giancarlo and Commissioner Scott O’Malia. Before rejoining the CFTC, Zaidi served as global head of compliance for a major broker-dealer and introducing broker, following earlier roles in finance, law, and regulation in New York and Washington.
Zaidi holds a J.D., cum laude, from University of Maryland School of Law and a B.S. in Business Administration, summa cum laude, from Boston University School of Management.
