# CFTC Innovation Task Force: Chairman Selig Announces Formation of New Innovation Task Force

Source: https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/cftc-innovation-task-force-2026
Last updated: Aug 26, 2026

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.

## At a glance

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Authority | [CFTC](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/cftc) |
| 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 text | https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/9201-26 |

## Key points

- 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 changed 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.

## Use cases it governs

- [Generative & agentic AI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#generative-agentic-ai)
- [Trading & capital markets](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#trading-markets)
- [AI governance (general)](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#governance-general)

## FAQ

### 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.

## Related documents

- [CFTC Compute Derivatives RFC](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/cftc-compute-derivatives-rfc-2026) — Request for Comment on the Listing of Compute Derivatives Contracts (Aug 19, 2026)
- [Johnson RegHub Summit Remarks (Jun 2025)](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/cftc-johnson-reghub-london-2025) — Keynote Remarks of Commissioner Kristin N. Johnson at RegHub Summit London 2025: Enabling AI Tools To Enhance Compliance and Surveillance (Jun 18, 2025)
- [CFTC Staff Advisory 24-17 on AI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/cftc-staff-advisory-24-17) — Staff Advisory on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in CFTC-Regulated Markets (CFTC Letter No. 24-17) (Dec 5, 2024)
- [Johnson Statement on AI in Derivatives Markets (Dec 2024)](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/cftc-johnson-statement-2024-12-05) — Statement of Commissioner Kristin N. Johnson on Future-Proofing Financial Markets: Assessing the Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Global Derivatives Markets (Dec 5, 2024)
- [CFTC TAC Responsible AI Report](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/cftc-tac-responsible-ai-report-2024) — Responsible Artificial Intelligence in Financial Markets: Opportunities, Risks & Recommendations (May 2, 2024)
- [CFTC AI Scams Customer Advisory](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/cftc-ai-scams-customer-advisory-2024) — Customer Advisory: AI Won't Turn Trading Bots into Money Machines (Jan 25, 2024)
- [CFTC AI Request for Comment (2024)](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/cftc-ai-request-for-comment-2024) — Request for Comment on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in CFTC-Regulated Markets (Jan 25, 2024)
- [Bailey: Frontier AI and the Question of Governance (Sep 2026)](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/boe-bailey-frontier-ai-governance-2026) — Frontier AI and the Question of Governance — Governor Andrew Bailey (Sep 30, 2026)

Last reviewed Aug 26, 2026. Cite the official text (https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/9201-26) for the rule and this page for the summary and dates.

---

Canonical page: https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/cftc-innovation-task-force-2026
Part of [BankingNewsAI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/) — a free daily brief on AI in banking, an AI regulation tracker (41 authorities, 237 documents) and AI-strategy profiles of the 120 largest US banks. Markdown versions of every reference page: append `.md` to the page URL; index at https://www.bankingnewsai.com/llms.txt.