Ex-CFTC Chair Chris Giancarlo, (a.k.a. Crypto Dad) Joins Paxos Board After CFTC Tenure

Last Updated on May 15, 2024

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Key Takeaways:

  • Former CFTC Chair J. Christopher Giancarlo joins Paxos’ Board of Directors: Widely recognized as ‘Crypto Dad,’ Giancarlo’s appointment aims to leverage his regulatory and digital finance expertise to enhance Paxos’ growth in regulated crypto markets, especially in the realm of stablecoins.
  • Paxos’ ongoing focus on compliance and innovation: As a key player in the stablecoin market, creating products like USDP and a stablecoin for PayPal, Paxos continues to emphasize compliance and financial inclusivity.
  • Regulatory Challenges: In 2023, Paxos faced regulatory scrutiny from the SEC and New York’s Department of Financial Services, impacting its operations with the Binance-affiliated stablecoin BUSD, demonstrating the ongoing regulatory challenges in the crypto space.

J. Christopher Giancarlo, widely recognized as ‘Crypto Dad’ and former chair of the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has been appointed to the board of directors at Paxos, a prominent crypto firm.

This announcement was made by Paxos on May 14, as part of its strategy to broaden its presence in regulated cryptocurrency markets and drive innovation in the area of stablecoins.

Paxos is the creator of the U.S. dollar-pegged Pax Dollar (USDP) and has also issued a stablecoin for PayPal.

Giancarlo expressed his enthusiasm about joining the Paxos board: “Paxos’s commitment to compliance and dedication to building a more efficient and inclusive financial system resonate deeply with me,” he stated. “I look forward to leveraging my expertise to help guide Paxos as it continues to revolutionize traditional finance.”

Giancarlo’s tenure at the CFTC spanned from 2013 to 2019, during which he also served as chair from 2017.

Post-CFTC, he founded the Digital Dollar Project, which focuses on creating a U.S. central bank digital currency.

He also serves as an advisory board member for the Chamber of Digital Commerce, emphasizing his ongoing commitment to improving the infrastructure of the financial system through blockchain technology.

Charles Cascarilla, Paxos co-founder and CEO, praised Giancarlo’s pioneering work in blockchain for financial systems.

In 2023, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission issued a Wells notice to Paxos, signaling potential enforcement action for issuing its Binance-affiliated stablecoin, BUSD, as an unregistered security.

This prompted the New York’s Department of Financial Services to take similar action against the firm, leading Paxos to announce plans to cease minting new coins for Binance.

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