Coinbase appoints David Menz to APAC leadership team
Coinbase, a leading global platform for buying, selling and storing cryptocurrency, have announced the appointment of David Menz as APAC Policy Manager to drive further constructive engagement and collaboration with policymakers, with the aim to ensure the APAC regulatory environment best supports the development of the local Web3 ecosystem.
David brings extensive experience in the crypto and digital asset industry, including his time at Australian financial services regulator, ASIC, where he was directly involved in the creation of the regulator’s crypto asset working group. More recently, he held senior positions at the Commonwealth Treasury’s Digital Assets and Crypto Unit, supporting the Australian Government in assessing appropriate guardrails for digital assets in Australia.
Under David’s guidance, Coinbase will continue to work closely with policymakers, regulators, financial institutions and partners to protect consumers, foster innovation and crucially, contribute to the development of clear guardrails for the industry.
“We are thrilled to welcome David to our growing Coinbase APAC team,” said John O’Loghlen, APAC Managing Director at Coinbase. “David is highly regarded in the industry, with deep experience in digital assets reform and policy. His appointment means Coinbase is well positioned to double down on our efforts to advocate for a sensible regulatory environment for crypto in APAC, and maintain our position as the safest and most secure crypto exchange.”
The appointment further illustrates Coinbase’s commitment to international expansion, to support the sustainable and responsible development of the global Web3 ecosystem, and to help establish sensible regulation for the industry that effectively balances consumer protections with fostering a pro-innovation environment. While the EU, UAE, Singapore, Canada and many other G20 and major financial hubs have introduced regulatory frameworks for the industry, Australia is yet to do so.
With the Australian Government set to consult on exposure draft legislation for regulating Digital Asset Platforms by the end of 2024, David’s appointment comes at an important time for Coinbase.
“Given the rapidly evolving nature of digital assets, creating sustainable and considered guardrails for the industry is complex,” said David Menz. “The APAC region in particular is one of the most diverse in terms of crypto regulation across a geopolitical area. Each country and local government has its own history and concerns with digital assets, creating a unique environment for exchanges to operate in.
“Australia’s long history with the Web3 ecosystem, having been early contributors to blockchain technology, has enabled high-quality conversations between regulators and exchanges and the crypto industry more broadly. As one of the most trusted crypto exchanges, Coinbase has been instrumental in leading discussions with local decision-makers to ensure safe and appropriate digital asset use and access. I look forward to continuing this work with the Coinbase APAC team to safeguard the future of the digital asset industry in the region,” Menz added.
