CFTC Appoints Former Federal Prosecutor Brian Young as Director of Enforcement

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has appointed Brian Young as the agency's Director of Enforcement, Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham announced on Friday. Young had been serving as the Acting Director of Enforcement since January 22, 2025, having previously led the CFTC's Whistleblower Office. Young joined the CFTC in 2024 following nearly two decades of service at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). During his tenure at the DOJ, he served as the Acting Director of Litigation for the Antitrust Division and Chief of the Litigation Unit for the Criminal Division's Fraud Section. Throughout his career as a federal prosecutor, Young tried several high-profile financial market manipulation and fraud cases, including the first U.S. trials regarding LIBOR manipulation, a $3.5 billion foreign exchange frontrunning scheme involving a former HSBC executive, and a multi-trader precious metals spoofing case on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Acting Chairman Pham praised Young's background and leadership, noting that his expertise will strengthen the CFTC's enforcement program to better protect investors and preserve market integrity. Pham stated that under Young's direction, the agency aims to expand resources to support victims and combat fraudulent schemes in U.S. derivatives and commodities markets. During his time heading the CFTC's Whistleblower Office, Young oversaw a record annual volume of whistleblower award application dispositions. In his new permanent capacity, Young confirmed his commitment to aggressive enforcement actions against fraud, manipulation, and abusive conduct across global commodity markets.