Regulating the Future: Markets, Innovation, and the New Financial Order
In a rapidly evolving financial landscape, Rostin "Russ" Behnam and Patrick McHenry stand at the forefront of shaping the rules that will define the next generation of global markets. Behnam, Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), is a leading voice on market integrity, climate risk disclosure, and digital asset regulation. McHenry, former Chair of the House Financial Services Committee and a key Republican strategist on Capitol Hill, has been instrumental in crafting bipartisan fintech, crypto, and capital markets policy.
Together, Behnam and McHenry deliver an insightful and timely conversation on the intersection of innovation, regulation, and economic competitiveness. From digital currencies and decentralized finance to risk oversight and the role of government in fostering growth, they offer a rare bipartisan perspective grounded in real-time policymaking. With deep institutional experience and a shared focus on the future, their dialogue equips audiences with the knowledge to navigate disruption, compliance, and opportunity in today’s complex financial environment.
Rostin "Russ" Behnam served as the 15th Chairman of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission from 2021 to January 2025. Behnam was nominated by President Biden and unanimously confirmed by the Senate in December 2021. Before serving as Chairman, Behnam served as a CFTC Commissioner from 2017-2021, having been nominated by President Trump in July 2017 and unanimously confirmed by the Senate the following month.
Since leaving the CFTC in February 2025, Behnam continues to be a sought after voice among global financial market experts both in the United States and globally. As CFTC Chairman, during a time of significant technological transformation and disruption in financial markets, Behnam focused on implementing rules and dedicating agency resources to enhancing risk management and resilience, strengthening customer protections, improving data policy, and promoting international comity.
While Chairman, Behnam was at the center of the crypto policy debate in the U.S., directly influencing multiple legislative efforts to authorize the regulation of digital assets, and also overseeing the expansion of CFTC licensed crypto exchanges, intermediaries, and new financial derivatives products directly within the agency’s authority.
Behnam is also globally recognized for his work on climate finance and examining the relationship between climate change and financial market risk. Behnam led the publication of the Managing Climate Risk in the U.S. Financial System report in September 2020, and subsequently led the passage of the CFTC’s Guidance in the voluntary carbon markets, in September 2024.
Behnam now serves as a Distinguished Fellow at the Psaros Center for Financial Markets and Policy at Georgetown University. In his new role, he is expected to leverage his extensive experience in financial regulation to contribute to academic discussions and policy development related to financial markets.
With a pragmatic approach to governance and a reputation for fostering bipartisan dialogue that leads to bipartisan results, U.S. Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC) has been instrumental in shaping policies that drive innovation and economic growth. McHenry gained national prominence as Acting Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives during a critical period of legislative transition in 2023.
McHenry served as Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, providing oversight of the Federal Reserve, Treasury Department, Securities and Exchange Commission and other federal financial regulators. He was also previously a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. As a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee, McHenry has focused on modernizing financial regulations to keep pace with technological advancements. He introduced the landmark "FIT (Financial Innovation and Technology) for the 21st Century Act" and "Clarity for Payment Stablecoins Act" to create a balanced regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. McHenry’s leadership in this space reflects his dedication to ensuring the United States remains at the forefront of global financial innovation while safeguarding investors and maintaining market stability.
Congressman McHenry is a seasoned legislator and a leading voice in U.S. economic and financial policy, with expertise spanning key areas such as banking, financial regulation, and Crypto-currency, bitcoin, and other technologies, making him a sought-after voice on the future of economic policy. With years of experience navigating complex economic and legislative challenges, McHenry offers strategic advice on leading during a crisis, connecting business and finance with Washington policymakers, and addressing fiscal policy issues.
Rostin Behnam served as the 15th Chairman of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission from 2021 to January 2025. Behnam was nominated by President Biden and unanimously confirmed by the Senate in December 2021. Before serving as Chairman, Behnam served as a CFTC Commissioner from 2017-2021, having been nominated by President Trump in July 2017 and unanimously confirmed by the Senate the following month.
Since leaving the CFTC in February 2025, Behnam continues to be a sought after voice among global financial market experts both in the United States and globally. As CFTC Chairman, during a time of significant technological transformation and disruption in financial markets, Behnam focused on implementing rules and dedicating agency resources to enhancing risk management and resilience, strengthening customer protections, improving data policy, and promoting international comity.
While Chairman, Behnam was at the center of the crypto policy debate in the U.S., directly influencing multiple legislative efforts to authorize the regulation of digital assets, and also overseeing the expansion of CFTC licensed crypto exchanges, intermediaries, and new financial derivatives products directly within the agency’s authority.
Behnam is also globally recognized for his work on climate finance and examining the relationship between climate change and financial market risk. Behnam led the publication of the Managing Climate Risk in the U.S. Financial System report in September 2020, and subsequently led the passage of the CFTC’s Guidance in the voluntary carbon markets, in September 2024.
As CFTC Chairman, Behnam served as a member of the U.S. Financial Stability Oversight Committee, the President’s Working Group on Financial Markets, and Vice Chair of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) from October 2022 to January 2025. As Vice Chair of the global standard setting body, Behnam held various management responsibilities of IOSCO, shaping the organization’s policy agenda. Within his capacity as Vice Chair, Behnam also co-chaired IOSCO’s joint work with the Bank for International Settlements’ Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures.
Chairman Behnam’s arrival at the CFTC in 2017 followed extensive experience as a practitioner and policy expert in financial markets. Prior to his service at the CFTC, Behnam was Senior Counsel to U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan from 2011-2017. Before his service in the U.S. Senate, Behnam worked in the Bureau of Securities within New Jersey’s Office of the Attorney General, practiced law, and worked as an equities trader in New York City.
Chairman Behnam received his A.B. from Georgetown University, and obtained his Juris Doctorate from Syracuse University.
Patrick McHenry served ten terms in the US House of Representatives as the Congressman for North Carolina's 10th Congressional District. Throughout his time in Congress, McHenry was a member of the House Financial Services Committee, including serving as its lead Republican member and Chairman from 2019-2025. During his time leading the committee, McHenry drove a robust legislative agenda focused on cryptocurrency, capital formation, artificial intelligence, fintech, data privacy, and corporate governance issues, among other topics.
In addition to guiding the House Financial Services Committee, McHenry led the House of Representatives in October 2023, serving as the first ever Speaker Pro Tempore following the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. During that time McHenry led the institution and worked to preserve the powers of the Speakership while also helping drive House Republicans towards consensus on a new Speaker—a process that took nearly a month.
McHenry also served as one of House Republicans’ lead negotiators in the spring of 2023 as they worked with the Biden Administration to pass the Fiscal Responsibility Act—a legislative package that achieved historic spending cuts and an increase in the debt ceiling, avoiding a catastrophic default.
McHenry is a native of Gastonia, NC and a graduate of Belmont Abbey College. He resides in Washington, DC with his wife and their three children.
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