Rostin Behnam, the chair of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has announced his resignation effective January 20, coinciding with the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Behnam's departure is part of a broader exodus of Biden-appointed federal regulators. In his final speech, Behnam emphasized the need for stronger regulation of cryptocurrencies, highlighting the risks associated with their integration without proper oversight. He has been a proponent of the CFTC overseeing digital assets, pointing out existing regulatory gaps. The Trump transition team is considering several candidates for Behnam's replacement, with a focus on individuals who could foster a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment. Potential candidates include CFTC Commissioner Summer Mersinger, Andreessen Horowitz's Brian Quintenz, and former Kraken chief legal officer Marco Santori, among others.