Former CFTC commissioner Brian Quintenz has alleged that Gemini founders Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss twins attempted to interfere with his confirmation as chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Key Points
- Quintenz claims the Winklevoss twins tried to influence his nomination as CFTC chair.
- Text messages show the twins pressing for reforms tied to the CFTC’s 2022 lawsuit against Gemini.
- Gemini’s long-standing conflict with the CFTC includes accusations of misconduct within the regulator’s enforcement team.
Quintenz, nominated by former President Trump to lead the CFTC, made the claims in a social media post on September 9. He shared July 24 messages where the Gemini co-founders questioned him about the agency’s 2022 enforcement case against their platform.
In one exchange, Tyler Winklevoss asked how Quintenz would align with Trump’s agenda to “end the lawfare” and push for enforcement reforms. He even suggested taking the issue directly to the President if needed. Quintenz said he declined to make commitments, insisting such decisions should only be made once he was confirmed by the Senate. Shortly after, the White House requested the Senate Agriculture Committee to pause his nomination, leaving the process on hold.
The timing of the dispute raised eyebrows as Gemini prepares for a Nasdaq listing valued at about $3 billion. Quintenz suggested the twins’ outreach may have been an attempt to sway regulatory direction for personal advantage.
Gemini vs. CFTC: A Long-Running Dispute
The clash between Gemini and the CFTC began in June 2022, when the agency sued the exchange for allegedly providing misleading information during its 2017 effort to launch the first U.S.-regulated Bitcoin futures contract. Gemini has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
In June 2025, Gemini escalated the matter by filing a 13-page complaint with the CFTC’s Office of Inspector General. The complaint accused the enforcement division of misconduct, misuse of privilege, and pursuing the case despite relying on what Gemini described as a “false whistleblower.” The filing also alleged that enforcement attorneys prioritized personal recognition over fairness, wasting taxpayer money and undermining due process.
Tyler Winklevoss later posted the complaint publicly, criticizing the CFTC for what he called “lawfare trophy hunting” and demanding cultural reform and accountability at the agency.
So far, the Winklevoss twins have not issued a response to Quintenz’s new claims, while the CFTC has also remained silent. The conflict between the exchange, its founders, and the regulator continues without resolution.
