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- The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission will review regulatory applications for autonomous artificial intelligence agents at an Oct. 28 forum.
- Panelists including representatives from Tempo and Hedera are scheduled to discuss market interactions during the event's second session.
- The agency's announcement does not introduce new trading requirements or clarify liability if an agent breaches regulations.
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will examine how existing trading rules apply to autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) agents at its inaugural Frontier Forum on Oct. 28. Representatives from blockchain infrastructure firms Tempo and Hedera are among the participants listed in the agenda published on Oct. 20.
Forum Will Examine Transactions Made by AI Agents
The second of two sessions focuses on autonomous systems capable of conducting financial transactions. Panelists will discuss how those agents interact with existing market infrastructure and whether and how the CFTC’s regulatory framework should apply when they act for market participants.
The agenda does not specify who would be liable if an agent breaches trading requirements.
In December 2024, CFTC staff reminded regulated firms that their compliance obligations continue when they use AI, including software from outside providers. That reminder applied to exchanges, clearinghouses, brokers, trading advisers and other businesses regulated by the CFTC.
Staff also expected firms to assess AI risks and update their policies, controls, and systems as needed. Trading venues’ duties include maintaining effective market surveillance and sufficient compliance resources. Clearinghouses retain responsibility for system safeguards when they use outside AI providers.
Tempo and Hedera Join Panelist Roster
The forum’s listed participants include Brendan Ryan, a software engineer at Tempo, and Nilmini Rubin, Hedera’s chief policy officer.
Other participants include Architect co-founder and president Brett Harrison, OneChronos co-founder and CEO Kelly Littlepage, and Andrew Kayiira, director of technology and financial innovation at the Investment Company Institute.
First Session Covers Market Oversight and Risk
The opening session will examine how AI could change derivatives markets, including how prices are formed, how firms manage risk and how regulators oversee trading.
The CFTC’s Innovation Task Force is hosting the forum. Its head, Michael J. Passalacqua, will give opening remarks, followed by a keynote from CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig.
The event will be streamed live on the agency’s website. The announcement introduces no new trading requirements; it outlines a discussion of the technology and the regulatory questions surrounding its use.
