CFTC perde um quarto dos funcionários! O presidente Mike Selig pede ao Congresso que "a IA vai resolver", sendo contrariado por um deputado democrata

American CFTC Chair Mike Selig admitted at a congressional hearing that the agency has lost about a quarter of its staff since 2025 (dropping from 708 to 543 people), but claimed to be compensating for the gap with AI and automation tools. However, amid a surge in regulatory demands for cryptocurrencies and prediction markets, Democratic lawmakers criticized the “thin manpower” and called for Congress to allocate more resources and funding. Selig also confirmed that multiple investigations are underway in the prediction market sector, adopting a “zero tolerance” policy towards illegal activities.
(Background: CFTC Chair Selig strongly states: “Only we can regulate prediction markets,” with jurisdiction over three states filing lawsuits)
(Additional context: US CFTC Chair announces “New Blueprint for Crypto Regulation”: teaming up with SEC to launch Project Crypto, with clear regulations for DeFi and prediction markets)

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• A quarter of staff left, enforcement team still short 23%
• Multiple investigations ongoing in prediction markets, insider trading suspicions rise
• Democrats criticize: manpower too thin, “CFTC must be given more resources”
• Single-member commission questioned, Thompson writes to White House urging nomination

U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chair Mike Selig admitted on Thursday at a House Agriculture Committee hearing that the agency is facing an unprecedented manpower crisis — since 2025, about a quarter of staff have left, but he assured Congress that AI tools will be key to filling the gap.

Selig stated during the hearing:

“Tools like AI will be very helpful in monitoring and advancing investigations, and we are integrating them into various workflows.”

He specifically mentioned that CFTC has extensively deployed Microsoft’s Copilot AI tool as a productivity aid. When asked about the staff decline, Selig claimed, “We are operating more efficiently.”

A quarter of staff left, enforcement team still short 23%

According to agency records, the number of full-time staff at CFTC has decreased from 708 at the end of the 2024 fiscal year to about 543, a drop of over 20%, directly resulting from the Trump administration’s significant downsizing of federal agencies. Ironically, CFTC is now at the forefront of regulating the fastest-growing and most volatile emerging markets — cryptocurrencies and prediction markets.

The enforcement dilemma is even more pronounced: next year’s budget requests only three additional enforcement officers, bringing total to 108, still about 23% short of the 140 planned for 2025. Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson of the Agriculture Committee expressed concern: “We’re handing over large digital assets and prediction market work to you,” and demanded Selig promise to seek additional qualified personnel if needed. Selig responded, “Absolutely.”

Multiple investigations ongoing in prediction markets, insider trading suspicions rise

Selig confirmed during the hearing that CFTC is conducting “multiple investigations” in the prediction market sector but refused to disclose specific numbers or directions. He emphasized that platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi are the “first line of defense” against insider trading, fraud, and market manipulation, with CFTC as the second.

“We regularly reject contracts,” Selig said. “We are actively reviewing everything in the market and adopting zero tolerance for illegal market activities. Anyone involved in such conduct will face the full force of the law.”

However, recent scandals in prediction markets — involving trades related to U.S. military actions and government announcements, with some anonymous traders making huge profits on correct bets — have sparked strong suspicions of government insiders exploiting informational advantages. Selig’s predecessor, Democrat Rostin Behnam, has repeatedly warned that CFTC lacks sufficient resources to regulate the expanding global prediction markets.

Democrats criticize: manpower too thin, “CFTC must be given more resources”

Committee’s chief Democrat Angie Craig bluntly criticized: “This agency’s manpower is stretched too thin,” especially considering CFTC has become the “main regulator of two of the fastest-growing and most unstable markets.”

“We must provide CFTC with enough staff, funding, and clear statutory authority to do its job,” Craig emphasized.

Single-member commission questioned, Thompson writes to White House urging nomination

In addition to manpower issues, CFTC’s organizational integrity is also under serious scrutiny. The commission, which should have five members (including two minority party members), currently has only Selig standing alone. When asked whether a “single-member commission” would push forward major rulemaking, Selig stated, “We cannot slow down legislation for the sake of the American people.”

This means CFTC will push ahead with rules for prediction market safeguards and crypto policies with only one vote. After the hearing, Thompson said he would jointly write to the White House with Craig, “urging them to fill the vacant seats promptly,” ensuring nominations from both parties.

The currently advancing Digital Asset Market Clarity Act would grant CFTC the core regulatory role over non-security cryptocurrencies, including major assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum — further increasing the burden on this already stretched agency.