CFTC Chair Says Regulator Is 'Behind' on Blockchain

The head of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission told Congress on Wednesday that the agency is "Falling behind" on the subject of blockchain compared to other countries.

He noted that the regulator is hamstrung in certain ways - for example, Giancarlo said that the CFTC can't operate a node on a blockchain operated by a banking consortium - despite being invited to by those institutions - because the sharing of information and data is considered a gift and therefore is something the CFTC can't accept.

The CFTC cannot purchase or rent the ability to run a node because it would require an appropriations bill through Congress.

Instead, he advocated for a bill introduced by Rep. Austin Scott which would grant the regulator the ability to accept shared data - something that would give the CFTC a leg-up on the topic.

" had the last four years ... to participate in all these blockchain beta tests that we have not been able to participate in and they've been able to get comfortable with the technology and now they're incorporating it.

I feel we're four years behind because we do need to test it, we do need to understand it so we can do a better job as regulator before I then come to Congress and say we need money to to build something.

The ironic part, Rep. Michael Conaway quipped, is that the CFTC does have legal authority to demand information after the blockchain is launched, but current laws prevent the regulator from looking at the information prior to that point.

Giancarlo also addressed the regulator's ability to oversee cryptocurrencies specifically, noting that the regulator is limited to commodities and futures contracts, as well as fraud and manipulation.

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