The efficacy of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Whistleblower Office has surpassed all expectations since its establishment in 2010, recouping more than $3.2 billion from fraudulent actors . The program’s resounding and unforeseen success has caused crippling financial issues for the program as a congressionally placed limit on the fund used to pay the office’s operations and whistleblower awards has meant that large award payments threaten to completely deplete the fund . Though Congress extended an emergency funding solution to sustain the program in March 2025, a permanent funding solution is still needed.
Passing a permanent funding solution is one of the National Whistleblower Center ’s (NWC) seven major campaigns for 2025. In this Sunday Read, we will review the milestones of the office and the program, its current funding crisis, and the pragmatic solutions suggested by legal and policy leaders that Congress should pursue.
Basics of the CFTC Whistleblower Program
The CFTC Whistleblower Program was created via the Dodd-Frank Act and provides monetary incentives to individuals who come forward to report possible violations of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA). It also provides certain confidentiality and anti-retaliation protections for whistleblowers.
The program’s first award was issued in 2014, and has since awarded more than $390 million to qualified whistleblowers. Its largest single award – $200 million – was issued in October 2021, when a Deutsche Bank insider blew the whistle on LIBOR/Euribor manipulation involving bank rate submittals. The information tied to coordinated enforcement actions by CFTC, another U.S. regulator, and a foreign regulator.
According to the CFTC, approximately 42% of all the agency’s enforcement actions involve whistleblowers. As per the Commission: “All whistleblower awards are paid from the CFTC Customer Protection Fund established by Congress and financed entirely through monetary sanctions paid to the CFTC by violators of the CEA. No money is taken or withheld from harmed investors to fund whistleblower awards.”
The State of the Program in 2025
An ongoing funding crisis has threatened to collapse this successful program. As Whistleblower Network News noted, the program has become a victim of its own success.
On March 14, Congress passed a Continuing Resolution bill which included an extension of an emergency funding provision for the CFTC Whistleblower Office through to Sept. 30, 2025. The bill establishes a separate fund for the whistleblower office’s operations, meaning that if the award fund is depleted the program can continue to operate. NWC lauded the action, but pushed Congress to see the bigger picture and pass the bipartisan CFTC Fund Improvement Act 2500 (also known as the CFTC Whistleblower Fund Improvement Act of 2023).
Introduced in 2023 by Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), who is also the Senate Judiciary Committee Chair, co-Chair of the Senate Whistleblower Protection Caucus and longtime NWC ally, the Act provides a permanent funding solution to the ongoing crisis by increasing the program’s cap from $100 to $300 million, permanently averting this recurring funding crisis.
“Longer-term funding solutions are needed to ensure the CFTC Whistleblower Program can continue to thrive moving forward,” said NWC Chairman of the Board Stephen M. Kohn. “The cap placed on the CFTC Whistleblower Program’s fund is not compatible with the growth of the program over the years and must be addressed.”
How You Can Support the CFTC Whistleblower Program
NWC would like to extend its sincere gratitude to supporters who have been indispensable in saving the CFTC Whistleblower Program and urges them and the public to consider taking further action with us.
Contact Congress today to urge for the passage of the CFTC Fund Improvement Act 2500. Join NWC’s Action Alert Network to receive updates on these campaigns and see the impact of your advocacy.
National Whistleblower Day
National Whistleblower Day is fast approaching on July 30 th , 2025. The event explores the history of National Whistleblower Day, its significance, and p rovides exclusive networking opportunities and the chance for attendees to hear directly from whistleblowers, advocates, government leaders and elected officials .
Establishing a permanent National Whistleblower Day is also one of the NWC’s seven campaigns for 2025. An official act would mandate that all federal agencies honor the day, provide whistleblower training to their employees, and celebrate the contributions that whistleblower have made to democracy and society.
NWC has revamped its National Whistleblower Day page, featuring individual segments of each speaker from last year’s celebration and dating back annually to 2014. In addition to Sen. Grassley, who recently introduced the AI Whistleblower Protection Act to Congress, Senate Whistleblower Protection Caucus Co-Chair Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)will also address this year’s attendees. The 2025 roster of speakers will be added to www.nationalwhistleblowerday.org ahead of the July 30 celebration.
You can also RSVP for this year’s in-person event and contribute to a separate fundraiser for the Campaign to Make National Whistleblower Day Permanent, with special gifts available for donors.
Additional Resources
The decision to come forward is not one to be taken lightly, nor should selecting a whistleblower lawyer. NWC provides resources that can connect you with the right legal professional prior to taking any action.
Support NWC
NWC works tirelessly to strengthen whistleblower programs and educate the public about their value. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, our work relies on donors like you.
Donate today to help us continue advocating for whistleblowers.
Special Offers: Donors of $50 or more will receive a free copy of Stephen M. Kohn’s latest book, Rules for Whistleblowers: A Handbook for Doing What’s Right.
This story was written by Justin Smulison, a professional writer, podcaster, and event host based in New York.
