CFTC Chief Who Sought Lead Role for Bitcoin Regulation Quits (2)

US Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chairman Rostin Behnamplans to resign from the role on Jan. 20.

Behnam will leave the commission on Feb. 7, according to a statement Tuesday from the derivative-market regulator.

Rostin Behnam

Photographer: Valerie Plesch/Bloomberg

“Over the past several years, a multitude of domestic and global events tested the resilience of all financial markets,” Behnam said in the statement. “I am proud that the commission consistently made deliberate and intentional decisions to ensure continued strength.”

As chairman, Behnam advocated for legislation to make the agency the main Bitcoin regulator and give it oversight of cryptocurrency exchanges. The agency also ...