The crypto world is buzzing as Caroline Pham, the acting chief of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), prepares to make a high-profile move to crypto fintech firm MoonPay. Her transition comes as Mike Selig, President Donald Trump’s nominee, is set to officially take the helm at the CFTC, likely any day now.
Pham will take on the role of chief legal officer and chief administrative officer at MoonPay, a company that recently secured a New York trust charter, marking a major step in its expansion into regulated crypto services. The company confirmed her upcoming move Wednesday, including a statement from Pham herself expressing excitement for the new chapter.
“I’m thrilled to join MoonPay at a pivotal moment,” Pham said, also noting on X that she looks forward to “a smooth transition” once Selig is sworn in. “The future is bright,” she added, signaling both confidence and enthusiasm for her next role.
Pham’s career has been defined by her influence on U.S. financial regulation. The former Citigroup managing director has pushed a crypto-friendly agenda, helping shape several recent initiatives in digital asset oversight. Her work culminates just as Selig’s confirmation advances through the Senate, with a vote expected Wednesday evening as part of a broader package of nominees.
MoonPay’s co-founder and CEO, Ivan Soto-Wright, praised Pham as “one of the most influential leaders in U.S. financial regulation,” calling her the “perfect leader to guide MoonPay through our next chapter of growth and compliance excellence.”
At MoonPay, Pham will oversee policy and regulatory strategy, helping the firm navigate Washington while expanding its operations in crypto trading, payments, and stablecoin infrastructure. Though MoonPay holds a New York BitLicense and operates under a regulated framework, it is not directly under CFTC supervision, giving Pham the opportunity to shape compliance and strategy from a fresh perspective.
With her move, Pham joins the growing list of top regulators transitioning into crypto, highlighting the increasing intersection between government oversight and the fast-moving digital asset industry. For MoonPay, this is a clear signal: the company is serious about compliance, growth, and playing a leading role in the U.S. crypto ecosystem.
