Coinbase, a crypto exchange based in the United States, has added new directors to its board. The exchange announced three key appointments, including Chris Lehane. Lehane previously worked under former president Bill Clinton in 1992 as a Democrat strategist.
Crypto exchange Coinbase has boosted its board of directors with new appointments. The three new appointments to its board include a senior OpenAI executive who once worked as a political strategist to former U.S. President Bill Clinton in 1992.
Chris Lehane, former presidential strategist, joins Coinbase
Coinbase has appointed Chris Lehane to its board. In a July 25 statement, the exchange confirmed it had appointed Lehane to be among the company’s ten directors. Lehane is a senior OpenAI executive, and his appointment to the Coinbase board underscores the firm’s commitment to improving its services, said Coinbase.
Lehane worked as a Democrat strategist under Clinton in 1992. The OpenAI executive once served the former president, Bill Clinton, shortly before his two-term tenure as the United States President in 1993.
Also Read: Coinbase seeks court order for SEC to produce Gensler linked docs
Lehane also played a key role in ensuring Airbnb, a home-sharing platform, became legal in the United States and worldwide. The former president’s strategist currently serves at OpenAI as the Vice President of Public Works.
The exchange said that Chris Lehane would offer strategic counsel to the firm’s leadership. The exchange highlighted that Lehane will help the firm achieve its goals. Lehane had already served as a member of the company’s Global Advisory Council before his appointment to its board.
Reportedly, Lehane remains confident that digital assets can boost financial inclusion for almost every individual, including marginalized groups. Lehane expressed his excitement about supporting the exchange and advocating for the 52 million U.S. citizens who own digital assets, as he believes crypto is a powerful tool that can update the system.
Today we announce that Chris Lehane, Paul Clement, and Christa Davies are joining Coinbase’s Board of Directors.They each have different political philosophies and career paths but all have arrived at the same conclusion: crypto is a powerful tool to update the system. pic.twitter.com/bQyEtO6thl
— Coinbase 🛡️ (@coinbase) July 25, 2024
Two other appointees join Coinbase’s audit and compliance committee
The crypto exchange firm also appointed two other notable executives to the board. Christa Davies, a former Chief financial officer (CFO) of Aon, has also been appointed to the board of directors. Davies, who worked as a CFO at Microsoft’s platforms and services wing, will join the exchange’s audit and compliance committee. The former CFO will help Coinbase in its financial operations.
Paul Clement, who once served as the solicitor general for the Bush administration, was also appointed to Coinbase’s board. Clement is a former partner at Clement and Murphy’s law firm.
Clement has been frequenting the U.S Supreme Court for decades. The attorney, whose law agency specializes in litigation, has argued over 100 cases. Reportedly, Clement’s expertise in legal matters could be useful in helping Coinbase navigate the ongoing legal war with the United States securities regulator.
Coinbase stated that Clement also served as the United States solicitor general between 2001 and 2009 under President George W. Bush’s administration. The exchange revealed that Clement will work with Davies in the audit and compliance committee.