The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission is embracing artificial intelligence and automation to tackle its growing regulatory duties, according to Chairman Mike Selig's testimony before Congress.
Despite a significant reduction in staff under the Trump administration, the agency is leveraging AI tools to enhance its surveillance and investigative capabilities. Selig noted that about a quarter of the CFTC's staff has departed since 2025, but the agency is adapting by incorporating AI into its workflows to offset the loss.
The CFTC is facing increased responsibilities in regulating cryptocurrency and prediction markets, with Chairman Selig acknowledging 'numerous investigations ongoing' in these areas. The agency is working to implement a preliminary rule process for U.S. prediction markets and is pursuing policy initiatives in crypto, despite concerns from lawmakers about the agency's staffing levels and resources.
Chairman Selig emphasized that proper enforcement of the markets is a top priority, but the agency's budget request for next year only includes three additional enforcement staff, leaving it about 23% shy of the 140 personnel it had in 2025.