Where have you heard about the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission?

What is the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission?

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) monitors and regulates options and futures markets.

It aims to keep the markets fair and efficient, while fighting fraud, manipulation and abusive market practices to protect investors and the public.

In 2015, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission declared Bitcoin a commodity. By so doing, it allowed the Commission to tackle any unregistered firms trading the currency.

What you need to know about the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

The Commission was established in 1974, and is split into 6 advisory committees. These separate committees cover agriculture, energy and environmental markets, global markets, market risk and technology, as well as one joint committee focussed on the relationship between the CFTC and SEC.

The work of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission can be split into 3 main sub-sections.

• Fight fraud, manipulation and abusive market practices by handing out severe punishments for anyone damaging the market users.

• Keep the market competitive and efficient. This can mean declaring what is and isn't classed as a commodity (with 2015's announcement of Bitcoin being a recent example).

• Work on public education and outreach, to teach the public about the importance of the market and how they work to keep it fair and protect its users.