TL;DR
- Caroline Pham, acting chair of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission, will leave the regulator to join MoonPay as chief legal and administrative officer.
- During her tenure, she launched initiatives such as the Crypto CEO Forum and CEO Innovation Council, promoting collaboration between regulators and crypto firms.
- Pham’s transition reflects a broader trend of experienced policymakers moving into the crypto industry, highlighting growing alignment between regulatory expertise and digital finance innovation.
Caroline Pham, acting chair of the CFTC, confirmed she will step down to join MoonPay in a leadership role. As the sole Republican commissioner at the agency for several months, Pham guided policy through a period of regulatory uncertainty and helped establish frameworks for digital asset oversight.
beyond thrilled to welcome @CarolineDPham to @moonpay
her leadership at @cftc has shaped policies that expand financial freedom and crypto innovation
now we’ll turn that progress into real outcomes for users and partners globally
we’re still just getting started……
— Ivan Soto-Wright (@ivanhodl) December 17, 2025
Her departure coincides with the pending Senate confirmation of a permanent CFTC chair, allowing for a seamless leadership transition. Analysts note that her move may encourage more collaboration between regulators and industry innovators, and could influence other experienced officials to consider similar paths.
During her tenure, Pham launched the Crypto CEO Forum and CEO Innovation Council, bringing together executives from crypto and traditional finance to discuss innovation, compliance, and practical strategies for integrating digital assets into the broader financial system. These initiatives were part of a larger push to provide clarity for the evolving crypto sector and to support responsible growth across multiple jurisdictions.
Leadership And Innovation At MoonPay
MoonPay officially announced Pham’s appointment as chief legal and administrative officer. MoonPay CEO Ivan Soto-Wright highlighted her regulatory expertise as key to translating policy experience into operational improvements for the company’s global user base. The firm plans to expand compliant crypto offerings while fostering broader adoption, leveraging Pham’s insights to navigate regulatory challenges effectively. Her experience is expected to strengthen internal compliance teams and enhance cross-border partnerships, particularly in markets with evolving crypto regulations.
Pham’s move is part of a growing trend of former regulators joining crypto firms, following examples like former CFTC commissioner Summer Mersinger, who became CEO of the Blockchain Association. Industry observers note that these transitions can enhance cooperation between regulators and crypto companies, potentially creating clearer rules without inhibiting innovation.
Pro-Crypto Policy Legacy Leaves Lasting Impact
While acting chair, Pham advocated for modernizing guidance on digital assets, including withdrawing outdated “actual delivery” rules. She also oversaw the first approval of spot crypto products on a regulated exchange, demonstrating a practical approach to integrating crypto within the financial system. Her move to MoonPay brings an experienced policy perspective to the private sector, reinforcing opportunities for compliant crypto businesses to grow and innovate.
