The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) published a Request for input on December 17, 2018, seeking public comment and feedback on a set of twenty-five (25) questions to better inform the CFTC’s understanding of the technology, mechanics, and markets for virtual currencies beyond Bitcoin. 

The request for public comment seeks to understand similarities and distinctions between certain virtual currencies, including Ether and Bitcoin, as well as Ether-specific opportunities, challenges, and risks. The requested information will inform the work of LabCFTC and the CFTC as a whole.

The twenty-five specific questions for input related to Ether set out in the request are organized under the following topics:

(i) Purpose and Functionality,

(ii) Technology,

(iii) Governance,

(iv) Markets, Oversight and Regulation, and

(v) Cyber Security and Custody. 

The Commission encourages all relevant comments on related items or issues.  Any comments submitted in response to the request do not need to address every question.  The deadline for submitting comments is February 15, 2019.