On March 24, 2026 CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig formed an Innovation Task Force to develop, with the Innovation Advisory Committee, a clear regulatory framework for innovators in three areas: crypto assets and blockchain, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, and prediction markets and event contracts. Staff were named on April 10, 2026; the task force is led by Michael J. Passalacqua and draws on CFTC divisions and private-sector experience. It is the CFTC's first dedicated vehicle for AI policy since the 2023–2024 AI Task Force.
| Document | CFTC Innovation Task Force — Chairman Selig Announces Formation of New Innovation Task Force |
| Issued by | Commodity Futures Trading Commission |
| Type | Framework |
| Status | In force |
| Published | Mar 24, 2026 |
| Effective | Mar 24, 2026 |
| Applies to | Internal CFTC initiative; output will affect all CFTC-regulated entities deploying AI or autonomous trading systems |
| Official source | cftc.gov ↗ |
| Use cases | Generative & agentic AI · Trading & capital markets · AI governance (general) |
What are the key points of CFTC Innovation Task Force?
- Three workstreams: crypto/blockchain, AI and autonomous systems, prediction markets and event contracts
- Led by Michael J. Passalacqua, who is also Designated Federal Officer of the Innovation Advisory Committee
- Mandate includes coordinating with other federal agencies and departments
- Chairman Selig: 'By establishing a clear regulatory framework for innovators building on the new frontier of finance, we can foster responsible innovation at home and ensure American market participants are not left on the sidelines'
- No deliverable dates were announced; the August 20, 2026 IAC agenda asked whether 'additional guidance or best practices' on AI-enabled participants are needed
What did CFTC Innovation Task Force change for banks?
It moves the CFTC's AI agenda from the 2024 'existing rules apply' posture toward a possible affirmative framework for AI-driven and autonomous trading. Bank derivatives desks running algorithmic or agentic strategies should expect the task force to be the origin of any 2026–2027 CFTC guidance on AI.
What will the CFTC Innovation Task Force produce on AI?
It is charged with developing a clear regulatory framework for AI and autonomous systems in derivatives markets, in partnership with the Innovation Advisory Committee. As of August 2026 no guidance or proposed rule has been published.
How does the Innovation Task Force differ from the 2023 AI Task Force?
Chairman Behnam's AI Task Force focused on fact-finding (the 2024 RFC and staff advisory). Chairman Selig's Innovation Task Force is framed around enabling innovation and spans crypto, AI/autonomous systems, and prediction markets.
| Date | Document | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 19, 2026 | CFTC Compute Derivatives RFC — Request for Comment on the Listing of Compute Derivatives Contracts | Comment period open |
| Jun 18, 2025 | Johnson RegHub Summit Remarks (Jun 2025) — Keynote Remarks of Commissioner Kristin N. Johnson at RegHub Summit London 2025: Enabling AI Tools To Enhance Compliance and Surveillance | Final |
| Dec 5, 2024 | CFTC Staff Advisory 24-17 on AI — Staff Advisory on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in CFTC-Regulated Markets (CFTC Letter No. 24-17) | In force |
| Dec 5, 2024 | Johnson Statement on AI in Derivatives Markets (Dec 2024) — Statement of Commissioner Kristin N. Johnson on Future-Proofing Financial Markets: Assessing the Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Global Derivatives Markets | Final |
| May 2, 2024 | CFTC TAC Responsible AI Report — Responsible Artificial Intelligence in Financial Markets: Opportunities, Risks & Recommendations | Final |
| Jan 25, 2024 | CFTC AI Scams Customer Advisory — Customer Advisory: AI Won't Turn Trading Bots into Money Machines | In force |
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