<p>Kelly Loeffler, former CEO of bitcoin derivatives exchange Bakkt and a newly-appointed U.S. Senator, has joined the committee that oversees the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).</p> <p>Loeffler has <a href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/newsroom/rep/press/release/chairman-roberts-welcomes-loeffler-to-ag-committee">joined</a> the Senate Agricultural Committee, which <a href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/newsroom/rep/press/release/chairman-roberts-hears-cryptocurrency-update-from-cftc-chairman-giancarlo">has jurisdiction</a> over the CFTC. Loeffler’s appointment to the committee raises concerns about a possible conflict of interest. Her husband, Jeffrey Sprecher, is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), which is regulated by the CFTC.</p> <p>“I have worked hard to comply with both the letter and the spirit of the Senate’s ethics rules and will continue to do so every day,” Loeffler <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/senator-whose-spouse-runs-major-exchange-to-help-oversee-regulator-11578440898?mod=hp_listb_pos3">told</a> the Wall Street Journal, adding: “I will recuse myself if needed on a case by case basis.”</p> <p>Loeffler’s appointment reportedly comes at a time when the agriculture committee is working on legislation to reauthorize the CFTC. The committee also oversees approving nominations for CFTC commissioners and chairmen.</p> <p>Loeffler was <a href="https://www.theblockcrypto.com/post/48831/bakkt-ceo-kelly-loeffler-to-become-georgias-interim-u-s-senator">sworn</a> in as a U.S. Senator to serve Georgia earlier this month. Before Bakkt, she worked for ICE for 16 years, overseeing the company’s investor relations, marketing, and communication operations.</p>