The Commodity Futures Trading Commission had 21% fewer staff by the end of 2025 than the previous decade's average, according to U.S. Office of Personnel Management data. According to NS3.AI, the agency also took nearly 80% fewer enforcement actions in 2025 than the previous decade's annual average.

Former enforcement lawyers alleged that leadership curtailed cryptocurrency cases and pushed out lawyers who handled them. The CFTC did not directly address those allegations and said it remains committed to market integrity and responsible innovation.

The Government Accountability Office is preparing a workforce investigation after Senator Elizabeth Warren's request. CFTC spokesman Zach Fulton said the agency is on track to hire roughly 100 employees in mission-critical areas by the end of 2026.