The CFTC organization consists of the offices of the Chairman and Commissioners as well as the agency's 14 operating divisions and offices. The CFTC organization is led by the Chairman in his or her capacity as the agency’s Chief Executive.
Office of the Chairman
The Office of the Chairman consists of the CFTC’s Chairman and Chief Executive and his or her dedicated staff. Led by the Chairman, these officials direct the day-to-day management of the agency, coordinate Commission business, and shape the CFTC’s regulatory and enforcement agenda.
Executive Leadership Team
The CFTC’s Executive Leadership Team consists of the heads of each operating division and office, the agency’s Chief of Staff/Chief Operating Officer, and the CFTC Chairman in his or her capacity as the agency’s Chief Executive. These individuals are responsible for carrying out the CFTC’s administrative, regulatory, and enforcement agenda as directed by the Chairman.
Operating Divisions & Offices
Clearing and Risk (DCR)
The Division of Clearing and Risk oversees derivatives clearing organizations (DCOs) and other market participants in the clearing process. These include futures commission merchants, swap dealers, major swap participants, and large traders.
Enforcement (DOE)
The Division of Enforcement investigates and prosecutes alleged violations of the Commodity Exchange Act and Commission regulations. Potential violations include fraud, manipulation, and other abuses concerning commodity derivatives and swaps that harm market integrity, market participants, and the general public. Within DOE is the Whistleblower Office, which administers the CFTC’s whistleblower program.
Market Oversight (DMO)
The Division of Market Oversight fosters open, transparent, fair, competitive, and secure markets through oversight of derivatives platforms and swap data repositories. DMO reviews new applications for designated contract markets, swap execution facilities, swap data repositories, and foreign boards of trade and examines existing trading platforms and swap data repositories to ensure their compliance with the applicable core principles and other regulatory requirements, including system safeguards.
Market Participants Division (MPD)
The Market Participants Division primarily oversees derivatives market intermediaries, including commodity pool operators, commodity trading advisors, futures commission merchants, introducing brokers, retail foreign exchange dealers, swap dealers, and major swap participants, as well as designated self-regulatory organizations.
Division of Data (DOD)
The Division of Data (DOD) is responsible for the Commission’s enterprise data strategy and data governance approaches. DOD creates data architecture and centers of excellence for analytics, visualization, and storage of data. In addition, DOD supports the Commission’s strategic objectives with respect to data and analytics through collaboration with other Divisions and Offices, including ingest of data from registered entities pursuant to the Commodity Exchange Act and Commission regulations, as well as integration of that data with other data sources.;
Division of Administration (DA)
The Division of Administration directs the internal management of the Commission’s business, personnel, financial, technological, security, and strategic operational resources. The Division’s role is to effectively and efficiently ensure the fulfillment of the Commission’s mission through continued success in continuity of operations, while providing the required resources for regulating the derivatives markets.
Office of the Chief Economist (OCE)
The Office of the Chief Economist provides economic support and advice to the Commission, conducts research on policy issues facing the Commission, and educates and trains Commission staff. OCE plays an integral role in the implementation of new financial market regulations by providing economic expertise and cost-benefit considerations underlying those regulations.
Office of the General Counsel (OGC)
The Office of the General Counsel provides legal services and support to the Commission and all of its programs. These services include: representing the Commission in appellate, bankruptcy, and other litigation; assisting in the performance of adjudicatory functions; providing legal advice and support for Commission programs; drafting and assisting in preparation of Commission regulations; interpreting the CEA; advising on legislative, regulatory, and operational issues; and managing the Commission’s policymaking and enforcement dockets. The Office of the General Counsel also houses the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Ethics, Secretariat, Privacy, Records, Library, and E-discovery programs of the Commission.
Office of International Affairs (OIA)
The Office of International Affairs advises the Commission regarding international regulatory issues and initiatives; represents the Commission in international fora such as the International Organization of Securities Commissions, OTC Derivatives Working Group, and OTC Derivatives Regulators Group; coordinates Commission policy as it relates to policies and initiatives of major foreign jurisdictions, such as the G20, Financial Stability Board, and U.S. Treasury Department; negotiates cooperative arrangements; and provides technical assistance to foreign market authorities, including advice, training, and an annual meeting and symposium.
Office of Public Affairs (OPA)
The Office of Public Affairs is the Commission’s primary public-facing office that provides honest, timely and useful information across all communication platforms in order to serve internal and external stakeholders in all sectors to accomplish and facilitate the Commission’s mission. OPA proactively conducts outreach and creates messages designed to raise awareness of the CFTC brand in order to promote public trust.
Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs (OLIA)
The Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs provides support on matters before the U.S. Congress and serves as the Commission’s official liaison with Members of Congress, federal agencies, and the Administration. In this role, OLIA develops and executes legislative strategy on behalf of the Chairman and Commission, manages congressional testimony, and works with the various divisions to provide technical assistance on legislation.
Office of Minority and Women Inclusion (OMWI)
The Office of Minority and Women Inclusion leads the CFTC’s civil rights, equal employment opportunity, and diversity and inclusion programs, including supporting the Commission’s six affinity groups.
Office of Technology Innovation (OTI)
The Office of Technology Innovation serves as the CFTC’s financial technology innovation hub, driving change and enhancing knowledge through innovation, consulting/collaboration, and education (ICE). OTI fosters innovation in CFTC’s regulatory oversight and mission critical functions by supporting the operating divisions and the Commission’s participation in domestic and international coordination. OTI regularly advocates for the advancement of responsible innovation, industry collaborations, and public outreach and education.
Office of Customer Education and Outreach (OCEO)
The Office of Customer Education and Outreach develops and administers the CFTC’s customer and public education initiatives. The office is responsible for helping the public spot, avoid, and report fraud that involves commodities or derivatives trading. The office was created following the passage of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which created a special fund to pay for whistleblower awards and “customer education initiatives designed to help customers protect themselves from fraud or other violations” of the Commodity Exchange Act.
Inspector General
Office of the Inspector General (OIG)
The Office of the Inspector General is an independent organizational unit of the CFTC. Its mission is to detect waste, fraud, and abuse and to promote integrity, economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the CFTC’s programs and operations. As such it has the ability to review all of the Commission’s programs, activities, and records. In accordance with the Inspector General Act of 1978, the OIG issues semiannual reports detailing its activities, findings, and recommendations.