CFTC sets prediction markets agenda for August 20 as White House plans crypto summit

CFTC's new advisory committee takes on crypto, AI, and prediction markets

@ChairmanSelig, chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, has published the agenda for the agency's Innovation Advisory Committee (IAC), scheduling its inaugural meeting for August 20 in Washington, D.C. The three-hour session runs from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern, with options for the public to attend virtually.

The committee will examine crypto market structure, prediction-market jurisdiction, and AI's role in financial markets. On the crypto side, topics are expected to include "areas where regulatory action can complement future congressional legislation," a likely reference to the U.S. Senate's failure to advance the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act before breaking for its August recess.

The IAC, launched in January 2026, replaces the Technology Advisory Committee and features executives from Coinbase, Ripple, and Gemini. Its mandate is to offer advice "on complex issues at the intersection of technology, law, policy, and finance" and to "provide insights and recommendations to the Commission to help ensure its regulations keep pace with the rapid speed of innovation."

Prediction markets and White House summit add to the week's significance

The prediction markets session is set to be one of the meeting's more contested discussions. Prediction markets have surged in popularity, raising questions about where the line sits between legitimate financial instruments and gambling. The CFTC has jurisdiction over derivatives, meaning event contracts on platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket fall squarely within its remit. The session is expected to cover state litigation and federal jurisdiction over those contracts.

The August 20 meeting does not stand alone. According to Politico, citing three people granted anonymity, the White House plans to gather crypto and prediction market executives the day before, on August 19. Attendance at that gathering remains unsettled, including whether President Trump will take part.

Taken together, the back-to-back events mark a notable moment for U.S. digital asset policy. For the crypto industry, the IAC meeting will bring several ongoing policy questions, including market structure, derivatives oversight, prediction market jurisdiction, and the use of AI in financial markets, into a single regulatory forum. Members of the public can submit written comments related to the meeting through August 27.

Sources
Federal Register: CFTC Innovation Advisory Committee Meeting Notice
CoinTelegraph: CFTC to explore crypto regulations amid CLARITY Act stall
Crypto Times: CFTC sets crypto, AI, and prediction markets agenda for August 20