CFTC Whistleblower Awards

Are You Eligible for an Award from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)?

Do you have information about a violation of the Commodity Exchange Act or Dodd-Frank Act? If so, you may be eligible to receive a whistleblower award from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The CFTC relies heavily on whistleblowers to expose fraud in the commodity markets and other violations of federal commodities laws, and it rewards whistleblowers who make significant contributions to successful enforcement actions.

Whistleblowers Play a Critical Role in the CFTC’s Enforcement Efforts

Whistleblowers play a critical role in the CFTC’s enforcement efforts. The CFTC established its whistleblower program in 2010, modeling it after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) highly successful whistleblower program. The CFTC Whistleblower Office paid its first award in 2014; and, since issuing its first award, it has paid close to $400 million to whistleblowers who have voluntarily provided original information leading to monetary sanctions.

As stated by the Director of the CFTC’s Division of Enforcement, “Whistleblowers often provide the most valuable evidence about wrongdoing.” Recognizing that this is the case, the CFTC’s Whistleblower Program rewards those who come forward and provide key evidence that the Division of Enforcement would have been unlikely to uncover on its own.

Eligibility for Monetary Awards Under the CFTC Whistleblower Program

If you have information about a violation (or possible violation) of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA), Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act), or any of the other federal commodities laws falling within the CFTC’s enforcement jurisdiction, you may be eligible to serve as a CFTC whistleblower and apply for a monetary award. Here is an overview of what you need to know before you submit a whistleblower complaint to the CFTC:

1. Providing “Original Information” to the CFTC

To qualify for a CFTC whistleblower award, you must provide “original information” to the Commission. This means that you must provide information that is not currently known to the government, and that the CFTC can use to either: (i) launch an investigation; or, (ii) in limited circumstances, further an ongoing investigation.

Reporting violations (or potential violations) to the CFTC as a whistleblower involves filing a Form Tip, Complaint, or Referral (Form TCR) with the CFTC’s Whistleblower Office. Whistleblowers who file a Form TCR are entitled to strong confidentiality protections—provided that they otherwise meet the requirements for securing protected whistleblower status.

2. Disclosing a Violation of the Commodity Exchange Act or Dodd-Frank Act

As noted above, CFTC whistleblowers must generally be able to disclose a violation (or potential violation) of the Commodity Exchange Act, Dodd-Frank Act, or another law falling within the CFTC’s enforcement jurisdiction. This involves identifying fraud perpetrated by commodities market participants in many cases.

If you have information about another form of fraud, you may not be eligible to seek a CFTC whistleblower award, but you may be eligible to come forward under another federal whistleblower program. There are several of these programs—all of which provide protections for whistleblowers, and many of which include provisions for whistleblower awards.

3. Assisting with the CFTC’s Investigation

While eligible whistleblowers are not strictly required to assist with the CFTC’s investigation, doing so can assist the CFTC with pursuing a successful enforcement action resulting in monetary sanctions. It is also necessary to maximize whistleblowers’ award eligibility.

Under the CFTC’s whistleblower program, awards are generally calculated as 10% to 30% of the monetary sanctions collected. Larger awards are reserved for whistleblowers who have provided substantial assistance during the investigative process. If you are eligible to serve as a CFTC whistleblower and are interested in maximizing your award eligibility, our whistleblower lawyers can help.

4. A Successful CFTC Enforcement Action

While all CFTC whistleblowers are entitled to confidentiality protections, securing a whistleblower award requires a successful CFTC enforcement action. An enforcement action is considered “successful” if it results in the recovery of monetary sanctions—whether through a confidential settlement, direct CFTC enforcement, or a judgment in a related action filed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

Since whistleblowers help the Commission conserve resources, monetary awards are an appropriate way for it to compensate whistleblowers in these cases. Again, the CFTC recognizes the critical role whistleblowers play, and the CFTC’s Customer Protection Fund specifically sets aside funds for paying whistleblower awards.

5. Responding to the CFTC’s Notice of Covered Action

If the CFTC recovers monetary sanctions in a case in which a whistleblower may be eligible for an award, it will issue a Notice of Covered Action. The whistleblower must then submit an award application to the CFTC. Our whistleblower lawyers assist with this part of the process as well, and we help the CFTC interpret the value of the information our clients have provided to assist with maximizing our clients’ whistleblower awards.

CFTC Highlights Its Reliance on Whistleblowers

In several instances, the CFTC has issued press releases highlighting its reliance on whistleblowers (while also continuing to protect whistleblowers’ identities). For example, in 2025, after the Commission granted a $700,000 whistleblower award, it issued a press release stating:

“The whistleblower information prompted the CFTC to open the investigation and described the misconduct that ultimately appeared in the order. The whistleblower also provided substantial assistance and helped the Commission conserve resources during the investigation. . . . ‘Today’s award recognizes the courage it takes to come forward to the CFTC, as well as the critical role whistleblowers play in the CFTC’s enforcement efforts,’ . . . ‘[and w]e appreciate . . . the whistleblower who provided key evidence and helped the CFTC interpret it..”

This statement includes quotes from the Director of the CFTC’s Division of Enforcement, Brian Young and the acting director of the CFTC’s Whistleblower Office, Cynthia Lie. As this makes clear, the CFTC highly values whistleblowers’ contributions, and the Commission is prepared to reward those who come forward under its Whistleblower Program.

Our Lawyers Represent CFTC Whistleblowers Nationwide

Are you eligible to come forward under the CFTC’s Whistleblower Program and seek a monetary award? If you have questions about serving as a CFTC whistleblower, our experienced federal whistleblower lawyers can:

• Determine if you are eligible to serve as a CFTC whistleblower;
• Help you make an informed decision about blowing the whistle;
• Prepare and file your Form TCR with the CFTC;
• Work with the CFTC on your behalf during its investigation; and,
• Negotiate your CFTC whistleblower award if your case leads to a successful enforcement action.

Our lawyers can do much more for you as well; and, if you are considering coming forward, we strongly encourage you to get in touch. We do not charge any out-of-pocket costs or fees for our whistleblower representation.

FAQs: Filing for a CFTC Whistleblower Award

Speak with an Experienced CFTC Whistleblower Lawyer in Confidence

If you are interested in learning more about serving as a CFTC whistleblower and seeking a monetary award for your efforts, we invite you to get in touch. Our lawyers are more than happy to explain everything you need to know to feel confident in your decision-making. To schedule a free and confidential consultation as soon as possible, Call 888-680-1745 or tell us how we can reach you online today.