CFTC staffing cuts test regulator as crypto markets expand

The CFTC, the agency responsible for regulating crypto and prediction markets, is facing staffing cuts that are exacerbating its difficulty in policing an expanding market worth hundreds of billions of dollars each week, according to NPR’s October 8 report. By the end of 2025, the CFTC had 21% fewer employees than its average over the previous decade, with enforcement actions dropping nearly 80% below the annual average for the prior decade.

The contraction in staffing came as the agency prepared to develop rules for crypto and prediction markets, raising concerns about its ability to manage expanded responsibilities with fewer people. In 2026, the CFTC aims to hire around 100 employees in critical areas, but underlying concerns about its capacity remain.