Washington, D.C. – In a Congressional testimony, the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) intimated an increase of the agency’s budget to oversee trading involved with blockchain technology.

An additional $31 million needed

On June 8, CFTC’s Acting-Chairman, J. Christopher Giancarlo, testified before the Congressional Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development and Related Agencies. The agency suggests an additional $31 million funding is necessary for the CFTC to oversee the functions on blockchain technologies.

This amount will be appropriated accordingly to supervise activities of the blockchain-related market.

FinTech and Blockchain

With the rise of innovation in the financial technology (FinTech) industry, federal financial agencies are in need to revamp their oversight. Earlier this year, President Trump issued an Executive Order that created the American Technology Council. President Trump touted that Government and its agencies should implement efficient information technologies to render more effective oversights and services.

CFTC’s Acting-Chairman Giancarlo testified that a boost in federal funding will aid the agency in implementing FinTech effectually. Giancarlo pointed out that with these new technologies CFTC will become a more effective regulator. Moreover, these technologies will allow the agency to modernize its current regulations.

Later in his testimony, Acting-Chairman Giancarlo mentioned the innovation of “smart” contracts and distributed ledger technology, both of which are in their nascent stages. Their implementations will ostensibly challenge and change conventional methods of our current financial market infrastructure. Hence, Giancarlo finds it important to take an early initiative to prepare CFTC for such modifications.

Other Agencies

There are other federal agencies requesting additional funding to oversee activities in the financial technology industry. The FBI is asking for $21 million and 80 new employees for such purposes. After recent reports of ransomware and other cybercriminal complaints regarding financial-related activities, resources are needed to deter further damage.

Giancarlo’s Testimony: http://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/SpeechesTestimony/opagiancarlo-24