CFTC Chair Confirms Six Cryptocurrencies as Digital Commodities

CFTC Chair Michael Selig identified Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Stellar (XLM), Tezos (XTZ), and XRP as examples of digital commodities during an October 5 speech. These assets were already included in a joint SEC-CFTC interpretation from March 2026, so Selig’s comments did not create new classifications. His remarks came as the CFTC begins drafting rules for leveraged retail crypto markets under existing federal authority.

The six assets highlighted by Selig were part of a broader regulatory taxonomy developed by the SEC and CFTC. The interpretation defines digital commodities as crypto assets whose value comes from the operation of their respective blockchain systems and market supply and demand, rather than from expectations of profit based on managerial efforts. The list is not exhaustive, with other assets like Aptos (APT), Avalanche (AVAX), and Dogecoin (DOGE) also classified as digital commodities.

Selig’s comments are significant for regulatory clarity, particularly for XRP and Solana, which have faced debates over whether they should be treated as securities or commodities. However, the remarks do not amount to new legislation. The CFTC is currently focused on developing a federal regulatory framework for crypto markets, including rules on customer asset protection, capital requirements, and anti-money laundering controls. The public will have the opportunity to comment on the proposed framework before formal regulations are implemented.