The **Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)** is an independent U.S. federal agency established in 1974 to regulate the nation's derivatives markets, including futures, options, and swaps. Its mission is to promote the integrity, resilience, and vibrancy of these markets through effective regulation, ensuring they operate fairly and transparently while protecting market participants and the broader economy[1][2][5]. The CFTC oversees a broad range of market entities such as designated contract markets (exchanges), swap execution facilities, derivatives clearing organizations, swap data repositories, swap dealers, and futures commission merchants. These markets significantly influence the U.S. economy by determining prices for essential goods and services, including food, energy, and transportation. The derivatives markets enable businesses—from farmers to airlines—to manage risks related to price fluctuations in commodities, currencies, and borrowing costs[1][4]. Historically, the CFTC was created in response to the expanding and increasingly complex futures markets of the early 1970s, which had grown to a $500 billion annual trading volume. Its formation unified regulatory oversight to prevent fraud, manipulation, and abusive trading, thereby restoring confidence in commodity trading and facilitating efficient price discovery[5][4]. The CFTC’s organizational structure includes divisions focused on clearing and risk management, market oversight, enforcement, and regulation of market participants. The Division of Enforcement actively investigates and prosecutes violations such as fraud and manipulation, using whistleblower programs to enhance market integrity. The Commission also collaborates with foreign regulators to oversee global derivatives trading[6][7][4]. Notable achievements include establishing robust regulatory frameworks under the Commodity Exchange Act and the Dodd-Frank Act, which expanded CFTC’s authority to cover swaps and major market participants, enhancing systemic risk oversight. The agency’s enforcement actions have held large corporations accountable, protecting smaller businesses and individual investors[2][7][8]. Today, the CFTC continues to evolve, addressing emerging challenges like digital asse