The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is grappling with staffing challenges as it prepares for expanded responsibilities in cryptocurrency regulation. A report from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) highlights cryptocurrency asset regulation as a top risk for the 2026 fiscal year, noting that pending legislation could significantly increase the CFTC's duties. The agency's workforce has decreased by 21.5%, from 708 full-time employees at the end of fiscal year 2024 to 556 a year later. The Inspector General emphasized the need for the CFTC to hire more staff, enhance technical expertise, and develop new data systems to manage its growing role. Vincent Liu, Chief Investment Officer at Kronos Research, pointed out that the CFTC's current framework is not equipped for decentralized spot markets, suggesting that effective regulation will require legal expansion and a hybrid approach.