US President Donald Trump’s nominee for Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) chair, Brian Quintenz, has publicly shared private text exchanges indicating that Tyler Winklevoss attempted to sway his confirmation.
The messages, released on X on 10 September, reveal that Winklevoss pressed Quintenz for assurances regarding a long-running legal dispute between Gemini, the crypto exchange he co-founded with Cameron Winklevoss, and the CFTC.
In the July 2025 exchange, Tyler Winklevoss circulated a 13-page complaint detailing what he described as “dubious false statements charges” and enforcement actions “selectively and unfairly weaponised” against Gemini.
He claimed the agency had engaged in “7 years of lawfare trophy hunting” and urged Quintenz to prioritise “cultural reform, which includes rectifying what happened to us.”
Source: X
Quintenz consistently declined to provide direct commitments, emphasising that “any decision or response to your complaint should be made by and given the full weight of the confirmed chair.”
He added that he would address the issues “fully and fairly if and when I am confirmed,” citing a need to rely on proper process rather than preemptive intervention.
Despite repeated requests from Winklevoss, Quintenz did not review the complaint before confirmation, prompting the crypto executive to express disappointment.
The messages suggest that, following these exchanges, the Winklevoss twins reportedly contacted President Trump to request a pause in Quintenz’s confirmation.
The dispute centres on a $5 million settlement between Gemini and the CFTC over allegations that the exchange made misleading statements about a crypto investment product.
Tyler Winklevoss accused agency staff of being “driven by a selfish desire to advance their careers by misusing their offices to obtain a high-profile ‘win’ against Gemini.”
The text release coincides with Gemini’s IPO planned for 12 September, targeting a $3 billion valuation.
Analysts note that these revelations could complicate investor sentiment as the company prepares to go public.
The episode has broader implications for the CFTC and its role in the crypto market.
Quintenz’s nomination, initially expected to face little opposition, is now uncertain.
The Senate Agriculture Committee had delayed questioning him after the White House reportedly requested a pause following the Winklevoss outreach.
The situation also highlights the growing influence of crypto figures in political circles.
Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss recently announced plans to invest $21 million into a group supporting “champions of President Trump’s crypto agenda in primary races and the midterm elections,” signalling active involvement in shaping regulatory priorities.
Quintenz has framed the text release as an act of transparency, saying it was intended to prevent the President from being misled.
He wrote,
“I believe these texts make it clear what they were after from me, and what I refused to promise.”
He argued that the Gemini founders’ attempt to intervene was improper.
This episode raises questions about the intersection of regulatory authority and influential market actors.
While the CFTC plays a key role in safeguarding derivatives markets and potentially the broader crypto ecosystem, high-profile industry players can exert pressure that blurs accountability lines.
Coinlive sees this as a reminder that regulatory bodies must navigate both compliance oversight and external lobbying pressures carefully, especially as crypto enters mainstream financial markets.
The Gemini case illustrates the fragility of impartial enforcement when high-stakes corporate and political interests collide.
SM Entertainment and LG Uplus have partnered to launch Nævis, an AI-powered virtual artist, using LG's ixi-GEN technology to create music, videos, and merchandise. The collaboration aims to revolutionise digital entertainment but raises concerns about potential impacts on beauty standards and the traditional music industry.
JoyGoogle's Gemini AI is set to be integrated into Android Auto, offering enhanced, personalised interactions compared to Google Assistant. The update will bring advanced conversational features and potentially elevate the in-car AI experience, although details on full feature access and rollout timing are still unclear.
WeatherlySolana-based Pump.fun reached $100 million in revenue just eight months after its January launch, sparking mixed reactions in the crypto community as other blockchain networks quickly adopt similar strategies.
Catherine
AlexAlexMany major publishers, including The New York Times and Condé Nast, are blocking Applebot-Extended to prevent their data from being used in AI training. This trend reflects growing concerns about data rights and the evolving role of AI in content usage.
AnaisCrypto miners in China, the United States and even the world are facing the risk of shutting down and surrendering, and analysts warn that $56,000 is their last line of defense.
MiyukiZhao Changpeng will be released from prison on September 29. There have been major changes in the lawsuit between Binance and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Ten lawyers have resigned from their positions and will no longer serve as Zhao Changpeng's lawyers.
WeiliangElon Musk-themed Telegram crypto game, X Empire, will end its "mining phase" on 30 September. The upcoming token airdrop is expected in late September or early October. With similar mechanics to Hamster Kombat, will X Empire outshine its predecessor?
CatherineToncoin (TON) has struggled with a bearish trend following Telegram CEO Pavel Durov's arrest but is showing signs of recovery as investor sentiment improves. With the TON blockchain surpassing 1 billion transactions, will TON maintain its bullish momentum or will bearish trends dominate?
Kikyo