Considering the CFTC didn't regulate Bitcoin until today I wouldn't think so. Their application would have been received with a polite "save yourself some time and money, we don't regulate that" I imagine.
Unless someone was working with the CFTC to have them move it under their jurisdiction for a competitive advantage or something, but even then CME or ICE could jump in so that would be a risky move.
> Isn't there a startup that's already applied for CFTC approval?
Well, there's TeraExchange which applied with the CFTC for trading dollar-denominated bitcoin swaps that are written, quoted and settled in US dollars.
Recently (days ago) the CFTC approved LedgerX for temporary registration as a Swap Execution Facility, which is one of the (multiple) registrations required pursuant towards LedgerX providing bitcoin options trading, as well as bitcoin clearing and settlement in actual bitcoin.
Unless someone was working with the CFTC to have them move it under their jurisdiction for a competitive advantage or something, but even then CME or ICE could jump in so that would be a risky move.
I can't think of any other reason, but who knows.