Key facts
- The CFTC has hired Donald Battle as its chief data innovation officer.
- Battle previously served as an adviser to the SEC's crypto task force.
- He has experience in blockchain forensics, data science, and AI solutions.
- The appointment comes as Congress works on the CLARITY Act for digital asset regulation.
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has appointed Donald Battle as its new chief data innovation officer, a move that suggests an increased focus on digital assets and blockchain technology. Battle, who previously advised the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on its crypto task force, brings extensive experience in blockchain forensics, data science, and AI solutions.
CFTC Chair Michael Selig highlighted Battle's qualifications, noting his background in programming interfaces and cutting-edge AI. Battle's prior roles include serving as a blockchain data adviser for the CFTC and a crypto enforcement specialist with the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. His appointment as an SEC crypto task force adviser was slated for January 2025 under the incoming Trump administration.